Last Updated on May 25, 2023 by Bitfinsider

In a Twitter Spaces event with Elon Musk on Wednesday night, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the start of his presidential campaign. He promised to defend bitcoin if elected the next year.

As 300,000 listeners listened in, DeSantis stated, “I think people should be able to do bitcoin. As president, we’ll protect the ability to do things like bitcoin.”

DeSantis claimed that bitcoin posed a challenge to “central planners” who seek to “control over society.” He earlier this month tried to outlaw all forms of central bank digital currency in the state. He declared that Congress should ultimately have the authority to regulate cryptocurrencies and that, should a ban ever be proposed, he would be opposed to it.

The Republican has already shown support for decentralized cryptocurrency and will attempt to unseat former President Donald Trump in the primary election. He acknowledged the industry’s risks but insisted that individuals should be free to make their own choices.

“I just do not have the itch to have to control everything that people may be doing in this space, and I think the current regime, clearly they have it out for bitcoin, and if it continues for another four years, they’ll probably end up killing it,” DeSantis said. “I think the current regime, clearly they have it out for bitcoin.”

The remarks come as cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase have fought with American officials, and some have warned that regulatory uncertainty in the nation might drive the industry abroad. This week, Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest reported that the nation is in danger of losing its top spot in the world’s cryptocurrency ecosystem to nations like the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Australia, and Switzerland.