With John Thune stepping in as Senate Majority Leader, I can't help but wonder how this will affect crypto in the US. Thune's known for being pro-crypto and has pushed for clearer regulations, which could be a game changer for those of us involved in cryptocurrency trading. But then again, there's Trump's tariff agenda looming over, and it might create some interesting tensions.

Thune's Crypto Agenda

Thune’s been around the block when it comes to crypto legislation. Back in 2022, he co-sponsored the Digital Commodities Consumer Protection Act (DCCPA), which was all about defining who gets to regulate what in the crypto space—spoiler alert: it was aimed at giving more power to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). He’s made it pretty clear that he thinks crypto “needs clear and sensible regulation.”

But it's not just about crypto for him. Thune's also pushing hard to repeal the estate tax, which is set to drop down significantly in 2026 unless something changes. This tax reform seems tailor-made for some of his biggest campaign donors who are none too happy about large inheritances being taxed.

And let’s not forget his push for biofuels—something that plays well with rural voters back home in South Dakota.

Potential Conflicts Ahead

Now here’s where it gets juicy. Thune has a history of being at odds with Trump, especially over tariffs. Trump’s got this agenda that could put him directly at odds with Thune’s free trade stance. Just recently, Trump hinted at bypassing Senate confirmation processes with recess appointments, and you can bet that if tariffs come up, there’ll be a public showdown otherwise.

Thune’s already warned that global tariffs are a recipe for inflation—so we’ll see how long he can keep that friendly face on before things get heated.

The Future of Crypto Under Thune

So what does this all mean? Well, if you’re into cryptocurrency in the US like I am, having someone like Thune in charge could be beneficial. His pro-crypto stance might just help push through some much-needed regulations that would make things smoother for digital currency platforms out there.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There are risks associated with cryptocurrencies gaining mainstream acceptance—especially considering how unstable they can be. And while having a clearer regulatory framework would be nice, we’ve seen how quickly things can change with new administrations.

In short: John Thune could either pave the way or hit a wall when it comes to US cryptocurrency policy—and I’m betting on both happening during his tenure as Senate Majority Leader.