Ripple CEO: Scott Bessent “Will Be the Most Pro-Innovation, Pro-Crypto Treasury Sec We’ve Ever Seen”

As a seasoned crypto investor with a keen eye for economic trends and a knack for deciphering political tea leaves, I find myself intrigued by the potential appointment of Scott Bessent as the next U.S. Treasury Secretary. Having navigated through the tumultuous waters of global finance, I’ve learned to appreciate the rare combination of intellect, pragmatism, and unwavering conviction that this nominee seems to embody.


On Friday, it was announced by President-elect Donald Trump that hedge fund manager Scott Bessent had been nominated as his choice for Treasury Secretary, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. As a skilled investor and founder of Key Square Capital Management, Bessent is poised to play a crucial part in formulating the economic policies of the administration.

Previously serving as the Chief Investment Officer at George Soros’s investment fund, Bessent is an outspoken supporter of President Trump’s economic ideology, endorsing policies like deregulation and tariffs. He has put forth a daring “3-3-3” strategy for economic overhaul: aiming to lower the budget deficit to 3% of GDP by 2028, striving for an annual GDP growth rate of 3%, and boosting U.S. oil production by 3 million barrels daily. Trump has lauded Bessent as a sharp intellectual and pivotal partner in executing his “America First” plan.

Regarding Bessent’s nomination, there has been close examination due to his qualifications. Some individuals in Trump’s group have raised concerns about his previous connection with George Soros. Meanwhile, Elon Musk and others are supporting Howard Lutnick as an alternative candidate for the position. In response to these criticisms, Bessent chose to openly advocate for tariffs as a valuable tool in trade negotiations.

Should he be approved by the Senate, Bessent is set to head the Treasury Department, tackling significant financial hurdles such as managing immense national debt and crafting tax policies. His relatively scant experience in Washington could potentially make it harder for him to establish ties on Capitol Hill, which will be instrumental as legislators deal with expiring tax cuts and other critical matters.

Approximately two weeks ago, Scott Bessent made an appearance on CNBC during which he discussed possible economic strategies, inflation fears, and potential roles within a hypothetical Trump administration. Throughout the interview, Bessent delved deeply into the difficulties of aligning fiscal policy with actual economic conditions, focusing specifically on tax reductions and tariffs suggested by Donald Trump.

Bessent pointed out that although deep tax reductions could be popular politically, they’d necessitate discussions with Congress. He mentioned that many Republican representatives, especially those in the House, are keen on “pay-fors,” which means they’d demand compensating measures to balance the cost of any cuts. He underscored that these negotiations would influence how Trump’s plans would be carried out.

Regarding the issue of inflation, Bessent discussed the wage issues and decreased buying power faced during the Biden administration. He compared this with the wage increases seen under Trump, suggesting that Trump’s re-election was largely fueled by discontent over inflation and its impact on working-class citizens. Bessent further stated that if Trump were to return to power, he would probably steer clear of policies that led to these economic strains, like excessive fiscal actions without corresponding adjustments.

Concerning tariffs, Bessent explained they cause temporary price modifications instead of persistent inflation. He advised implementing tariffs slowly to prevent severe economic upheavals and hinted that Trump might adopt a similar strategy. Furthermore, he pointed out Trump’s emphasis on deregulation and lowering energy expenses as potential factors that could lead to decreased inflation rates.

In response to being asked if he might take up an official position in the administration, Bessent showed a readiness to assist Trump in whatever job he considered suitable. He clarified that no specific roles had been discussed formally yet, but restated his dedication to promoting Trump’s policies. He hinted that he would obey any instructions from Trump, whether it meant offering advice from afar or accepting a more engaged role within the government.

Bessent additionally delved into the broader political scene, characterizing Trump’s re-election as a significant surge, signaling a firm endorsement for his policies. He pointed out that Trump’s robust backing from voters and Congress would probably empower the administration to execute its plans efficiently, especially during the initial phase of the term.

There’s a buzz in the cryptocurrency world about the prospect of Bessent being appointed as the next U.S. Treasury Secretary.

Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith made the following statement:

In my role as an analyst, I recently came across a statement credited to the CEO of the Blockchain Association, KMSmithDC. This was in response to President-elect Trump’s nomination of Scott Bessent for the position of Treasury Secretary. The statement expressed apprehension about Mr. Bessent’s nomination, as he is perceived to have a history of opposing cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.

— Blockchain Association (@BlockchainAssn) November 23, 2024

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse had this to say:

Without jumping to conclusions too quickly, it seems that Scott Bessent would make an exceptional choice for Treasury Secretary as proposed by @realdonaldtrump. He is likely to be highly supportive of technological advancement and cryptocurrencies, making him a groundbreaking pick in this role.

— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) November 23, 2024

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2024-11-23 10:45