A new crypto joint venture with political explosiveness is emerging in the USA. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are investing through their company American Data Centers in the newly founded Bitcoin mining company American Bitcoin, which will be under the majority control of the Canadian-American infrastructure company Hut 8. The Trump brothers secure 20% of the shares, Hut 8 takes over the operational business - including the contribution of around 61,000 mining rigs.

The goal is ambitious: American Bitcoin is to be expanded into the world's largest mining platform in the medium term – with its own Bitcoin reserve as the backbone. The founding occurs without cash flow: The ownership structures were regulated solely through the contribution of assets. Hut 8 integrates the results of the new company into its consolidated balance sheet but retains strategic control with 80%.

Eric Trump, future Chief Strategy Officer of American Bitcoin, sees the new direction as a consistent complement to the family tradition in the real estate business: "We are a hard-asset clan. Bitcoin is digital property – and the best hedge against everything else." His brother Donald Jr. serves with him on the advisory board of the investment firm Dominari, which co-founded American Data Centers.

Parallel to mining, the Trumps are also active in the DeFi sector. With World Liberty Financial, a platform for decentralized financial services was recently launched, accompanied by a stablecoin initiative (World Liberty Dollar) and several meme coins. According to Eric Trump, their in-house social media company is also expected to support digital assets soon. A closer integration with American Bitcoin is "conceivable.

The mining industry is under pressure. The majority of the maximum 21 million bitcoins has already been mined. New market entrants are driving up costs – and energy consumption remains a contentious point. Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot sees a crucial advantage for the joint venture in low electricity costs and lean infrastructure: "Those who are among the cheapest miners will survive in the long term – despite all volatility.

The strategy is designed for scaling. American Bitcoin aims to position itself as the most cost-efficient player in global competition. Support from Washington helps: President Trump, back in office, has announced plans to make the USA the "crypto capital of the world" – including a strategic Bitcoin reserve plan. The Trump sons officially distance themselves from it. Yet the parallels are obvious.

The executive team of American Bitcoin is prominently staffed: In addition to Eric Trump as Head of Strategy, Matt Prusak, formerly Chief Commercial Officer at Hut 8, takes over operational management. Mike Ho, Chief Strategy Officer of Hut 8, becomes Executive Chairman. The board of directors includes, among others, investors Justin Mateen (Tinder) and Michael Broukhim (FabFitFun).

The establishment of a private Bitcoin reserve by political actors with direct access to the US government is likely to reignite the debate about the separation of market and power.