Ethereum lost 6.1% to $2,100, while Solana and Dogecoin declined 6.8% and 5.8%, respectively. Binance’s BNB dropped 3.6% to $576, while Cardano fell 13.8% to $0.81, leading losses among major tokens.
The executive order, signed Thursday, authorizes the creation of a Bitcoin reserve using assets seized in criminal and civil forfeiture cases.
White House AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks said the reserve would act as a “digital Fort Knox” and would not require additional taxpayer funding.
The government holds an estimated 200,000 BTC, worth about $17.7 billion, which will form the core of the stockpile, he said.
The move adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile market.
While some investors see it as a long-term bullish signal, others remain wary of how the government plans to manage its holdings.
The broader crypto market faced pressure amid a pullback in risk assets, even as global equity futures signaled cautious optimism.
U.S. equity futures edged higher, with Dow Jones Industrial Average futures up 0.1%, S&P 500 futures rising 0.22%, and Nasdaq-100 futures climbing 0.3%.
It also follows President Trump’s temporary exemption of certain automakers from tariffs, easing trade tensions.
Investors are also looking ahead to the European Central Bank’s upcoming meeting, where a rate cut is widely expected amid rising euro area yields and changes to Germany’s fiscal policy.
Bitcoin remains up nearly 30% year-to-date, bolstered by inflows into U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.
Still, market participants appear to be awaiting further regulatory developments and details on how the government intends to handle its Bitcoin reserves going forward.