Never in your wildest dreams would you have guessed that a former reality TV star and a millennial president would be trading niceties over Bitcoin. It may sound like the premise of a dystopian dark comedy, but welcome to the world we actually live in. Trump and Bukele, two anti-establishment, status quo-busting political rock stars, meeting and shakin’ hands while agreeing on crypto. But what does this mean, really? So, what does this mean for Gen Z? They are the ones loaded down with debt and looking forward to a financial system that really caters to their everyday needs.
Failed System, Bitcoin as Solution?
Let’s face it, the existing financial system hasn’t done Gen Z any favors. Student loan debt is at an all-time high and wages are failing to catch up with inflation. At the same time, the housing market has never seemed more unattainable. It's a perfect storm of economic anxiety. They’ve experienced their parents losing jobs and seen corporations get bailed out. At the same time, people are forced to sink or swim, creating a justified distrust of the very systems that are supposed to serve and shield them.
As far as most of Gen Z is concerned, this is their chance to go around the gatekeepers. In doing so, they are taking charge of their fiscal future. That’s a digital insurrection, one that has every bit as much anger and rage against the system they feel is rigged. Bukele gets this. He witnessed El Salvador’s reliance on the dollar and the remittance fees sucking his people dry. Bitcoin provided a counterweight, an escape hatch from the oligarchs who control all money and thus power. Is it a perfect solution? Absolutely not. But it’s still a solution, and that’s more than the old guard has been willing to put forth.
Trump? Eh, he was never about making friends anyway. Keep in mind, he’s said the crypto US crypto capital of the world. Even now it’s hard to say if he’s ever really bought in on the tech. Or he could simply view it through the lens of a disruptor. He has the opportunity to adopt Bitcoin in a meaningful and substantial way. All of this, taken together, could even disrupt the emerging global financial order in a more profound manner.
Trump, Bukele, and the "Boomer Coin"?
Here's where the unexpected connection comes in. On the surface, Trump and Bukele couldn’t be more different, but both men know the value of narrative. One thing they do have in common is that they both understand how to appeal to the fears and hopes at the core of their bases. In Bukele’s case, it’s about providing a lifeline to a sinking economy. That’s Trump’s goal as he tries to reach a younger, more tech-savvy crowd. He wants to be seen as going up against the man.
Think about it. Bitcoin, often seen as a futuristic technology, suddenly gets the endorsement of a figure associated with a "Make America Great Again" sentiment, and potentially a large slice of the Boomer voting demographic. We know it’s a jarring juxtaposition, but it might just be the most powerful — and effective — ad we’ve ever done.
Does this mean that Bitcoin is just a “Boomer coin” at this point? Absolutely not. Gen Z’s first attraction to crypto was a natural response to their ingrained distrust of all things traditional finance. As crypto nerds, they envisioned a world where blockchain technology made transactions decentralized and transparent — unregulated by banks and central governments. The important challenge going forward is to make sure that Bitcoin doesn’t turn into the new opiate of the bitcoin rich elite.
Financial Inclusion Or Fool's Gold?
Let's be clear: Bitcoin is not a magic bullet. But it’s pretty volatile stuff, very complex stuff, and stuff with enormous risk. The climate impacts of Bitcoin mining are very real and warrant serious scrutiny. And there’s a grave risk that it will deepen existing inequities if we don’t do so carefully and on purpose.
The promise of financial inclusion and the future of this industry are real. Now, picture that same world in which financial services are available to anyone with a smartphone, no matter where they live or what their background. Picture a world where anyone can send remittances instantly and with almost zero fees. Imagine small businesses quickly and efficiently accessing the capital they need without being mired in months of bureaucratic red tape. As speculative instruments go, bitcoin has a pretty powerful promise. It particularly hits home with Gen Z’s overall longing for a more just society.
The implications of such a meeting between Bukele and Trump, whatever the official agenda might be, sends a chilling signal. Most importantly, it indicates that Bitcoin has graduated from fringe technology to something serious, to be reckoned with. It’s an important conversation starter, a powerful catalyst for change. The direction that change takes is up to us. Will it help us realize a more inclusive and equitable financial system, or will it simply benefit the few?
Gen Z, this is your moment. Don't let others define your future. Do your research about what Bitcoin is, the risks and the rewards, and fight to have a seat at the decision-making table. And the economic revolution is coming, whether you like it or not. Are you going to be just an observer, or part of the action? The choice is yours.
