Justin Bechler gives harsh response to Trump on Epstein files, and ‘strategic reserve’

Justin Bechler gives harsh response to Trump on Epstein files, and ‘strategic reserve’ originally appeared on TheStreet.

In a scathing criticism of the U.S. government's handling of Bitcoin, popular crypto influencer Justin Bechler has written off the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) — often cited by proponents as a way for the U.S. to neutralize the threat posed by Bitcoin, as "pure political performance" and a "fiction" used to appease the crypto community.

On X, Bechler made the case that America might never have an SBR, as he feels the federal government will never voluntarily accumulate Bitcoin, which is essentially a direct challenge to the fiat monetary system.

He said, "The dollar system is not a neutral accounting tool. It is the engine of control, and its value depends on the ability to inflate liabilities and externalize consequences. If you believe this government will voluntarily exchange the instrument of its dominance for an asset it cannot counterfeit, freeze, or redirect, then you are not thinking in terms of statecraft; you're indulging in fantasy."

He stressed that no historical model or current policy indicates that any central body would voluntarily shift toward Bitcoin.

Join the discussion with Scott Melker on Roundtable here.

He added, "The belief that the federal government will one day build a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve requires a complete detachment from reality.

The establishment of an SBR was a key part of President Trump's election promises, vowing to secure American dominance, making it the 'crypto capital of the world.'

However, six months into his presidency, no concrete steps or policies have materialized, leading critics like Bechler to question the administration's commitment to its crypto-centric campaign promises.

IRS mishandles private keys

Additionally, Bechler aimed to highlight the government's incompetence, citing a recent Treasury report that revealed significant mishandling on the part of the IRS in its management of seized crypto.

The IRS lost private keys, compromised assets, and lacked basic record-keeping, spurring doubt over the possibility of any single point of governmental custody.

Bechler also mentioned several unkept promises from the administration, including the failure to keep the Epstein list transparent, to complete the audit at Fort Knox, and to release the JFK files and complete the 9/11 reports.

But it's not just Bechler. Many of the crypto influencers who once aligned with the President's policies are now second-guessing. For example, Natalie Brunell and Fred Krueger are two influencers who have shared their experiences with these policies.

Join the discussion with Natalie Brunell on Roundtable here.

Justin Bechler gives harsh response to Trump on Epstein files, and ‘strategic reserve’ first appeared on TheStreet on Jul 8, 2025

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.