Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Advocates for Bitcoin and Civil Liberties at Bitcoin 2023 Conference

In a momentous public appearance, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. officially unveiled his candidacy for the presidency at the Bitcoin 2023 conference. Addressing an enthusiastic audience, Kennedy shared his personal experiences with Bitcoin, raised concerns about the rise of government totalitarianism facilitated by technology, and outlined his plans to safeguard the rights of Bitcoin users if elected as president.

Kennedy affirmed his commitment to preserving the inviolable right of individuals to hold and utilize Bitcoin. Drawing on his unwavering dedication to civil liberties, he emphasized that Bitcoin served as both an exercise and a guarantee of these fundamental freedoms.

During his speech, Kennedy recounted how he first became inspired by Bitcoin as a critical tool for freedom. He highlighted its role in circumventing financial restrictions during the Canadian trucker protest, where peaceful protestors found themselves unable to access their funds for essential needs such as mortgage payments and providing for their families. Witnessing the devastating impact of government repression in this context, Kennedy recognized the significance of free money as being just as vital as free expression.

Kennedy has been a vocal supporter of Bitcoin since May 2023, distinguishing it from other cryptocurrencies and urging legislators to foster its development rather than impede it through regulations like the proposed energy tax on miners by the Biden administration. On stage, he reiterated his disapproval of such measures and outlined his administration’s strategies to promote Bitcoin innovation within the United States.

He outlined four key initiatives his administration would undertake: protecting the right to self-custody of digital assets, upholding the right to run a node at home, advocating for industry-neutral energy regulations, and ensuring that the United States remains a global hub for cryptocurrencies. Kennedy pledged to reverse the growing hostility towards the crypto industry exhibited by the government.

Additionally, Kennedy expressed his intention to reevaluate the cases of individuals like Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, a bitcoin-based darknet marketplace. He emphasized the need to determine whether their prosecutions were based on genuine criminal charges or served as a means to suppress the crypto space. Kennedy pledged swift action, including considering pardons for those found to have been unfairly targeted.

Kennedy entered the Democratic primary race just before publicly showing his support for the Bitcoin industry on social media and announcing his participation in the Bitcoin 2023 conference. His positions on issues such as vaccine mandates and climate change have set him apart from mainstream Democrats, positioning him as an outsider within the party. Although trailing behind Joe Biden by a significant margin, Kennedy currently occupies the second position in national polling averages.

During his appearance at Bitcoin 2023, Kennedy clarified that he personally does not hold any investments in Bitcoin. Notably, he announced that his presidential campaign would become the first in history to accept donations via the Lightning Network, embracing the technology’s potential.

Concluding his speech, Kennedy emphasized the urgency of building and fortifying democratic institutions in the face of an era characterized by turnkey totalitarianism. He underscored the importance of Bitcoin as the most significant democratic innovation on the horizon, immune to manipulation.