Trump, Musk Bet Big on Bitcoin Reaching $100K

The U.S. government and SpaceX hold a combined $25 billion in BTC, fueling predictions of a major price surge.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:52pm

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An extreme close-up of the intricate machinery and mechanisms of a bank vault, conveying the tangible power and security of financial institutions in the age of digital assets.As the U.S. government and SpaceX amass billions in bitcoin, the physical infrastructure of the financial system takes on new significance in the growing crypto economy.Today in Nashville

Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, has been trading near $75,000 this week, down roughly 40% from its all-time high above $126,000. But two of the most powerful figures on the planet, former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, are betting it goes much higher. The U.S. government currently holds 328,372 bitcoin, worth approximately $24.5 billion, in what Trump has branded the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Meanwhile, Musk's SpaceX is sitting on 8,285 bitcoin worth $603 million as the company prepares for what could be the largest IPO in history, targeting a valuation north of $1.75 trillion. Together, Trump and Musk now control roughly $25 billion in bitcoin, and if Congress authorizes active reserve purchases and SpaceX holds through its IPO, that number could grow substantially.

Why it matters

The massive bitcoin holdings of the U.S. government and SpaceX could have a significant impact on the cryptocurrency's price, potentially pushing it past the $100,000 mark. This would represent a major milestone for bitcoin and could further legitimize it as a mainstream asset. However, factors like Trump's ongoing trade war with China and the lack of congressional authorization for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve could also weigh on bitcoin's price in the near term.

The details

SpaceX confidentially filed for its IPO in early April, targeting a June listing that could raise tens of billions of dollars. The company would become the largest known corporate bitcoin holder to go public. Meanwhile, Trump's Strategic Bitcoin Reserve remains in limbo, as the president signed an executive order in March 2025 establishing the reserve, but it still lacks the congressional authorization needed to become fully operational.

  • In March 2025, Trump signed an executive order establishing the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
  • In early April 2026, SpaceX confidentially filed for its IPO, targeting a June listing.
  • On April 15, 2026, bitcoin traded near $74,800.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who established the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve through an executive order.

Elon Musk

The CEO of SpaceX, which is sitting on 8,285 bitcoin worth $603 million as the company prepares for a potential $1.75 trillion IPO.

Scott Bessent

The current U.S. Treasury Secretary, who has reaffirmed the administration's commitment to the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Bill Cassidy

A U.S. Senator who has introduced the Mined in America Act to support digital asset mining and back the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Cynthia Lummis

A U.S. Senator who has introduced the Mined in America Act to support digital asset mining and back the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

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What they’re saying

“If it's not going to zero, it's going to a million.”

— Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy)

“The 85-95% collapses associated with a very new technology, that's done. This is a proven technology, it's a proven monetary system, and it's a new asset class.”

— Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest

“Donald Trump buys a burger with Bitcoin. Just the beginning. When real adoption kicks in, Dogecoin is next.”

— @Beyond_T_Coin, Crypto Analyst

What’s next

SpaceX's IPO in June could drive significant institutional inflows into bitcoin, while the Mined in America Act from Senators Cassidy and Lummis could provide the congressional authorization needed for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to become fully operational.

The takeaway

The massive bitcoin holdings of the U.S. government and SpaceX, combined with the bullish predictions of industry leaders like Michael Saylor and Cathie Wood, suggest that bitcoin could be poised for a major price surge past the $100,000 mark. However, factors like Trump's ongoing trade war and the lack of congressional authorization for the Strategic Reserve could also weigh on the cryptocurrency's price in the near term.