Eric Trump told Consensus 2026 attendees Thursday that major Wall Street firms including Merrill Lynch, Charles Schwab, and JPMorgan are adopting cryptocurrency. He predicted explosive growth in the crypto market this year and claimed digital assets democratize finance for everyday people. The remarks signal deepening institutional interest in the space.
Named Institutions
Trump specifically called out Merrill Lynch, Schwab and JPMorgan during his keynote address. He didn't detail what each firm is doing beyond confirming adoption. The absence of caveats about regulatory hurdles stood out. None of the firms have publicly acknowledged their crypto moves. That didn't stop the audience from treating the names as credible. How deeply they're integrating crypto remains unclear. The comment bypassed the usual conference hand-waving about potential.
Growth Forecast
Trump said the cryptocurrency market will see explosive growth in 2026. He gave no metrics or timeline for this prediction. The audience took it as standard conference optimism. His confidence seemed tied to the Wall Street adoption he'd just cited. No one asked for proof during the session. The market didn't move immediately on his comments. It's unclear whether he expects retail or institutional demand to drive this growth.
Democratization Claim
Trump argued digital assets break down financial barriers for everyday people. He claimed they provide access to tools previously reserved for the wealthy. This is a common crypto narrative but gains weight when linked to major banks. The practical question is how these institutions will implement it. Will Schwab offer crypto to average customers or keep it for high-net-worth clients? Trump didn't address accessibility details. His pitch felt more aspirational than concrete.
The conference continues Friday. None of the firms named by Trump have issued statements about their crypto plans. Attendees expect more institutional announcements as Consensus 2026 progresses.
