#1569 Anthony & Polina Pompliano | Is the Fed Too Late to Stop Bitcoin’s Rise?
🎯 Summary
Podcast Summary: #1569 Anthony & Polina Pompliano | Is the Fed Too Late to Stop Bitcoin’s Rise?
This episode of the Pomp Podcast, featuring Polina Pompliano, dives into the current state of the US dollar, macroeconomic policy shifts, the political drama between Trump and Musk, and the accelerating relevance of Bitcoin amid these changes.
1. Focus Area
The discussion centers on Macroeconomics and Monetary Policy, specifically the weakening US dollar, the potential for an economic boom driven by cheap capital, the political push for fiscal spending versus cost-cutting, and the increasing adoption and regulatory focus on Bitcoin as a superior monetary asset.
2. Key Technical Insights
- Dollar Weakness is Relative: The 10% weakening of the dollar is primarily measured against other fiat currencies (like the Euro), reflecting relative monetary policies and trade dynamics.
- Bitcoin as the True Benchmark: The most significant trend is the dollar’s crash against Bitcoin, suggesting Bitcoin is strengthening as the world’s ultimate non-sovereign currency.
- Taxation Paradox: Current tax rules penalize Bitcoin when used as a currency (spending) but not when held as an investment, creating an “equality fight” where Bitcoin should be treated like any other asset based on its use case.
3. Market/Investment Angle
- Boom Conditions: A weak dollar combined with falling interest rates (a policy goal for Trump) creates conditions for an economic boom due to cheaper capital access.
- Tariff Efficacy Questioned: Despite high tariff revenue collection (over $100B), the expected consumer inflation did not materialize, suggesting foreign producers, not US consumers, bore the brunt of the cost.
- Bitcoin as the Ultimate Hedge: The conversation strongly implies that Bitcoin’s rise is inevitable as fiat currencies globally debase, making it the primary long-term store of value.
4. Notable Companies/People
- Jerome Powell: Heavily criticized by both Pomp and Polina for being “behind the curve” on inflation and monetary policy, leading to Trump’s public pressure campaign.
- Donald Trump: Advocating for aggressive interest rate cuts and growth-focused policy, while simultaneously facing internal resistance to his cost-cutting mandates within government structures.
- Elon Musk: Portrayed as an ally of cost-cutting, whose public feud with Trump is viewed largely as political entertainment (“pro wrestling”) that benefits both egos but distracts from substantive issues.
- Scott Bessent: Mentioned as a potential Treasury Secretary favorite who is ready to replace Powell if nominated by Trump.
- Senator Cynthia Lummis: Highlighted as a key legislative driver working on amendments to ease tax burdens on small crypto transactions (de minimis exemption).
5. Regulatory/Policy Discussion
- Fed Independence vs. Pressure: While the Fed is meant to be independent, political pressure (from Biden privately, Trump publicly) is common. The core critique is that Powell failed by letting inflation run hot.
- Crypto Legislation Timeline: There is an expectation that comprehensive US crypto legislation, including rules for the market, will be finalized by September 30th.
- De Minimis Exemption: A key policy recommendation is the implementation of a de minimis tax exemption (e.g., $600-$800) for small Bitcoin transactions used as currency, treating it like cash rather than a taxable asset sale.
6. Future Implications
The conversation suggests a bifurcation in economic strategy: either a return to cost-cutting (which is politically difficult) or doubling down on growth via money printing and debasement, which further solidifies Bitcoin’s role as the necessary escape valve. The political noise between Trump and Musk is seen as distracting entertainment, but the underlying push for regulatory clarity in crypto is accelerating.
7. Target Audience
This episode is most valuable for Financial Professionals, Macro Investors, and Crypto/Web3 Strategists who track the intersection of US monetary policy, political maneuvering, and the long-term trajectory of digital assets.
🏢 Companies Mentioned
💬 Key Insights
"This is why the renters are worse off. In the old model, it was a one-time fee. If you stay in that apartment for three years, you pay the additional 15% every single year. So now let's go back to that $7,500, which was a one-time fee. Now you end up actually paying over $22,000 over the three-year period because they changed this rule."
"we just removed the broker fee from apartment listings. . . Guess what happened overnight? Rents in New York City went up 15%. Why? Because the landlord said, okay, well, they can't pay you the 15%, which is a one-time charge, I have to pay it. I'm not coming out of pocket. So they raised the rents 15%."
"Still your keys, still your coins, now your yield."
"Core is a protocol secured by elected validators. You can help elect validators and secure the network by simply locking up your Bitcoin on the Bitcoin blockchain. No bridging, no lending, just holding."
"The trade-off is half of the Americans who don't have investment assets, they're just watching everything explode in price. They feel further behind. Enter socialism as the potential solution."
"Instead, they should use real-time alternative inflation metrics like Trueflation, like I've been yelling and screaming for what months, years at this point."