A 12-foot golden statue of President Donald Trump holding a Bitcoin was unveiled outside the U.S. Capitol on 3rd Street on September 17, 2025. The temporary installation, available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., was funded by a collective of cryptocurrency investors.
Organizers stated that the piece aims to provoke debate about the future of digital currency, monetary policy, and the federal government’s role in financial markets.“The installation is designed to ignite conversation about the future of government-issued currency and is a symbol of the intersection between modern politics and financial innovation,” said Hichem Zaghdoudi, a representative of the collective of crypto investors who funded the artistic installation.
“As the Federal Reserve shapes economic policy, we hope this statue prompts reflection on cryptocurrency’s growing influence.”Group members indicated that the statue pays tribute to Trump’s outspoken support for cryptocurrency and is expected to draw attention from observers throughout the day. The unveiling occurred opposite Union Square on the National Mall, approximately one mile from the White House.
The installation coincided with the Federal Reserve's announcement at 2 p.m. that it reduced its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point, marking the first cut since December 2024. The decision lowered the target range for the federal funds rate to between 4.00% and 4.25%, down from 4.25% to 4.50%. Last year, the central bank lowered rates three times due to concerns over slowing job growth and rising unemployment.
The Federal Open Market Committee also revealed plans for two more rate cuts in 2025. However, only one additional cut is anticipated in 2026, which differs from Wall Street expectations of five cuts by the end of next year. Updated economic projections forecast U.S. real GDP growth of 1.6% in 2025, 1.8% in 2026, 1.9% in 2027, and 1.8% in 2028.
The median unemployment rate is projected to remain at 4.5% in 2025, ease to 4.4% in 2026, and decline to 4.3% in 2027.Markets reacted with mixed performance following the announcement. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 260.42 points, or 0.57%, to close at 46,018.32. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.3%. U.S. Treasury yields experienced modest declines, and the U.S. dollar index fell below 96.22, reaching a new low since February 2022.
Organizers stated that the piece aims to provoke debate about the future of digital currency, monetary policy, and the federal government’s role in financial markets.“The installation is designed to ignite conversation about the future of government-issued currency and is a symbol of the intersection between modern politics and financial innovation,” said Hichem Zaghdoudi, a representative of the collective of crypto investors who funded the artistic installation.
“As the Federal Reserve shapes economic policy, we hope this statue prompts reflection on cryptocurrency’s growing influence.”Group members indicated that the statue pays tribute to Trump’s outspoken support for cryptocurrency and is expected to draw attention from observers throughout the day. The unveiling occurred opposite Union Square on the National Mall, approximately one mile from the White House.
The installation coincided with the Federal Reserve's announcement at 2 p.m. that it reduced its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point, marking the first cut since December 2024. The decision lowered the target range for the federal funds rate to between 4.00% and 4.25%, down from 4.25% to 4.50%. Last year, the central bank lowered rates three times due to concerns over slowing job growth and rising unemployment.
The Federal Open Market Committee also revealed plans for two more rate cuts in 2025. However, only one additional cut is anticipated in 2026, which differs from Wall Street expectations of five cuts by the end of next year. Updated economic projections forecast U.S. real GDP growth of 1.6% in 2025, 1.8% in 2026, 1.9% in 2027, and 1.8% in 2028.
The median unemployment rate is projected to remain at 4.5% in 2025, ease to 4.4% in 2026, and decline to 4.3% in 2027.Markets reacted with mixed performance following the announcement. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 260.42 points, or 0.57%, to close at 46,018.32. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.3%. U.S. Treasury yields experienced modest declines, and the U.S. dollar index fell below 96.22, reaching a new low since February 2022.