Trump's Return Boosts Crypto, Aussies Divided

President Donald Trump's return to office has sparked a surge in cryptocurrency markets, with Bitcoin soaring over 40% since his election on Nov. 5. However, a recent survey conducted by Australian cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve suggests that Australians are divided on his impact on the crypto industry.

According to the survey, only 31% of Australians believe Trump is good for the crypto sector, while 8% say he is bad for it. A significant 60% of respondents remained neutral, indicating a lack of strong sentiment on his policies or their potential effects on digital assets. However, the survey revealed a stark contrast between crypto investors and non-investors in their perceptions of Trump.

Among those who actively invest in cryptocurrency, 50% viewed Trump favorably regarding his impact on the industry, while 44% remained neutral and only 6% had a negative outlook. In contrast, only 20% of non-crypto investors saw Trump as a positive influence, while 10% expressed negative views. This suggests that those with financial exposure to the crypto market are more optimistic about the regulatory and economic changes his administration may bring.

The survey found that the most committed crypto investors—those investing AU$10,000 ($6,400) per month—had no negative views on Trump, further showing the belief that his policies will drive greater adoption and innovation in the sector. Independent Reserve CEO Adrian Przelozny attributes this optimism to Trump's perceived pro-crypto stance.

The findings of the Independent Reserve survey align with a separate YouGov poll commissioned by Swyftx, which revealed that 59% of Australian crypto investors are more likely to vote for a pro-crypto candidate in the upcoming federal election. With an estimated 2 million Australians holding digital assets, this emerging voting bloc could play a decisive role in the country's political landscape.

Australia's federal election, set to take place by May 17, is expected to be tightly contested between the ruling center-left Labor government and the center-right opposition. The political discourse surrounding cryptocurrency regulation is heating up, with both sides making promises to address the industry's growing concerns.

Despite growing adoption, the Australian cryptocurrency industry still faces hurdles. Independent Reserve reported that nearly 20% of survey respondents experienced restrictions from their banks when attempting to buy crypto