Is Trump building a crypto economy?

The BBC World Service's "The Inquiry," hosted by Tanya Beckett, explores whether Donald Trump is building a crypto economy. The podcast investigates the origins of Bitcoin and its underlying blockchain technology, highlighting early problems such as unregulated exchanges and collapses like Mt. Gox and FTX. It examines Trump's shift towards embracing cryptocurrencies, influenced by donations and the potential for personal and national financial gain, and also discusses El Salvador's experiment with Bitcoin as legal tender and the involvement of President Bukele. The podcast concludes by considering the future of crypto, the potential for dollar-based stablecoins, and the risks and opportunities associated with integrating crypto into the mainstream financial system, especially concerning America's global financial dominance.