US Regulators Have Changed Bank Crypto Rules With Every New President Since 2017. Why a Law Is Better for Bitcoin

Bank regulators have flipped their crypto stance with every new president since 2017, and Wall Street is already pricing in rules that the next administration could erase overnight. The fate of Bitcoin's banking access may hinge on a single question…

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US bank regulators have shifted their bank crypto rules with each new president since 2017, alternating between allowing banks to hold Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) for customers and warning against it. According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), laws remain stable over time, while regulatory changes can be reversed quickly by the next administration.

For Bitcoin holders, these fluctuating policies impact how easily banks and their clients can buy and hold the cryptocurrency. As of October 2, 2026, Bitcoin is trading at about $85,975, reflecting a 3% decline this year and a 28.7% drop over the past year. This raises the question: how much of the recent regulatory optimism for crypto will endure through the next White House transition?

Bank Crypto Rules Have Flipped With Every President Since 2017