Bitcoin advocate visits the White House: Venezuelan opposition leader to visit on Thursday, can the crypto vision become a reality

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado will visit the White House this Thursday (January 16). This visit marks the U.S. government’s direct support for the Venezuelan opposition and also brings to the international stage a radical economic proposal put forward by Machado—establishing a national Bitcoin reserve.

Political Signals Behind the White House Visit

The timing of Machado’s visit to the White House is highly significant. Recently, the situation in Venezuela has been highly turbulent, with Maduro’s regime facing major changes and opposition forces gradually gaining real power. The U.S. government’s proactive invitation to opposition leaders to visit the White House sends a clear political signal: the U.S. is adjusting its policy stance toward Venezuela and supports a power transition led by the opposition.

This is not only a geopolitical game but also aims to lay the international legitimacy foundation for the new government led by the opposition. The White House meeting will create opportunities for Machado and the U.S. government to reach consensus on key issues such as economic reconstruction and resource development.

The Economic Vision of Bitcoin Advocates

Machado’s approach differs significantly from other opposition leaders in her deep embrace of cryptocurrencies. Multiple sources indicate that Machado is a well-known Bitcoin advocate, describing Bitcoin as a “lifeline” for the people and envisioning its inclusion in the national reserves.

This idea is not without basis. Venezuela’s cryptocurrency ecosystem has become quite mature:

• From July 2024 to June 2025, Venezuela’s crypto trading volume approached $45 billion
• Stablecoins (especially USDT) have become an important tool for the public to cope with the devaluation of the local currency
• Crypto payments are widely used in daily transactions

These data suggest that cryptocurrencies in Venezuela are no longer just speculative tools but are practical needs for the public to combat the economic crisis.

Feasibility of a National Bitcoin Reserve

Regarding Venezuela’s potential Bitcoin holdings, opinions vary. Conservative estimates are around 240 Bitcoins (about $22 million), while optimistic predictions reach $60 billion. This huge discrepancy reflects the uncertainty of information but also indicates that the scale of a Bitcoin reserve has room for imagination.

From an economic perspective, in the context of limited traditional foreign exchange reserves, Bitcoin as “digital gold” has several unique advantages:

• Not directly affected by geopolitical sanctions
• Can cross borders, bypassing traditional financial blockades
• Has inflation-hedging properties, suitable for high-inflation countries
• Fixed supply, offering long-term value storage

Practical Challenges and Future Outlook

However, Machado’s vision of Bitcoin still faces multiple obstacles from conception to reality. First is the issue of international recognition—establishing a national Bitcoin reserve is still an innovative attempt globally, lacking a mature international framework. Second are technical and governance issues—how to securely manage and prevent misappropriation requires strict institutional design.

But the White House meeting itself is a positive signal. If Machado can gain U.S. government approval for her economic reform direction during the visit, the feasibility of a Bitcoin reserve policy will greatly increase. Especially given the relatively open attitude of the current U.S. government toward cryptocurrencies, the possibility of cooperation should not be underestimated.

Summary

Machado’s visit to the White House on Thursday not only reflects changes in Venezuela’s political landscape but also represents an important case of cryptocurrencies entering national policy agendas. If this visit can push the Bitcoin reserve from a vision to policy, Venezuela will become the first country to officially establish a national Bitcoin reserve, which would be a major breakthrough for the recognition of the crypto industry’s institutional legitimacy.

What to watch next is whether there will be specific policy statements after the visit, the U.S. government’s attitude toward the Bitcoin reserve, and how the new regime will promote this plan after coming to power. All of this will gradually unfold over the coming weeks.