Howard Lutnick – long‐time Chairman/CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald (a global financial services firm) and now U.S. Commerce Secretary – has emerged as an outspoken crypto advocate. He and Cantor Fitzgerald have repeatedly touted Bitcoin and stablecoins. Lutnick himself has been described as “one of the most prominent cheerleaders for crypto” and a leading advocate for stablecoins . Under his leadership Cantor has launched major Bitcoin‐related products and partnerships. For example, in July 2024 Lutnick announced that Cantor would launch a $2 billion Bitcoin financing business to lend dollars against clients’ Bitcoin holdings . Lutnick said Cantor (as “strong supporters of Bitcoin”) would “build an incredible platform to support Bitcoin investors’ financing needs” and “unlock Bitcoin’s full potential… bridging the gap between traditional finance and digital assets” . In March 2025 Cantor confirmed that this Bitcoin lending arm launched with $2 billion in initial financing and partnered with digital‐asset custodians Anchorage Digital and Copper to manage collateral and custody . In short, Lutnick positioned Cantor to provide institutional clients with leverage on their Bitcoin – a novel product in traditional finance.
Cantor Fitzgerald’s stablecoin and custody businesses also tie directly into Bitcoin markets. Lutnick’s firm is a key custodian and adviser for Tether – the largest dollar‑pegged stablecoin. Reports note that Cantor “manages stablecoin issuer Tether’s stockpile of U.S. Treasuries” (now backing over $140 billion of USDT) and holds a stake in Tether . In late 2024 it was reported that Cantor was even in talks with Tether to help fund a $2 billion lending program, lending dollars to clients against Bitcoin collateral . In Reuters’ words, Lutnick’s firm was working with Tether “to deepen his financial ties… by launching a $2 billion project to lend dollars to clients against bitcoin” . (Cantor’s custody of Tether reserves reportedly earns it tens of millions in fees .) In other words, Lutnick’s companies are deeply involved in Bitcoin‐linked lending and custody through their stablecoin business.
- Bitcoin financing and lending (2024–25): Cantor launched a $2 billion platform for loans to Bitcoin holders (custodied by Anchorage/Copper ). It also discussed a $2 billion Bitcoin‐backed lending program with Tether .
- Bitcoin acquisition venture (2025): Cantor (via Lutnick’s sons) partnered with SoftBank, Tether and Bitfinex to form a $3 billion Bitcoin acquisition vehicle (21 Capital) .
- Crypto SPAC deals (2025): Cantor has sponsored Bitcoin‐themed SPACs. For example, it merged a SPAC with BSTR – a “Bitcoin treasury” firm led by Bitcoin pioneers – under a combined company advised by Cantor .
- Blockchain/data initiatives (2025): As Commerce Secretary, Lutnick announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce will publish GDP and other economic data on a public blockchain, “because you are the crypto president,” to make statistics transparent and verifiable .
These activities show that Lutnick’s companies are actively involved in the Bitcoin ecosystem – from providing loans to Bitcoin holders, to managing crypto reserves, to participating in large‐scale Bitcoin investment vehicles and blockchain data efforts. Cantor’s “digital assets” group now offers custody, lending and prime‐brokerage services tailored to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies . In sum, under Lutnick Cantor has made Bitcoin a strategic focus, integrating it into its trading, custody and financing businesses.
Lutnick’s Public Views on Bitcoin and Crypto
Lutnick has consistently voiced strong pro‐Bitcoin and pro‐crypto views in public. In mid‐2024, at a Bitcoin conference in Nashville, he said Cantor was a “strong supporter of Bitcoin” and would “help unlock Bitcoin’s full potential” . More recently, in an April 2025 interview he laid out a clear vision: he calls Bitcoin a commodity, not a currency. He said: “Bitcoin is a commodity, and it should be treated like a commodity… It should be treated like oil. It should be treated like gold… It’s not a currency” . He also emphasized bolstering U.S. Bitcoin mining. For example, he told Bitcoin Magazine he would encourage miners to build power plants next to gas fields, so they “won’t be beholden to [the] grid”, and predicted America’s “next generation of miners… will control the cost of power,” which “is going to turbocharge Bitcoin mining in America” . In short, Lutnick publicly champions Bitcoin’s integration into the U.S. economy. He repeatedly states that the Bitcoin industry is “welcome in the United States” and his goal is for it to “win in America” .
Lutnick’s comments are not limited to Bitcoin. He has called himself a stablecoin advocate and defended Tether – for instance dismissing any link between Tether and illicit finance. (At the same Nashville conference he flatly denied allegations that Tether was funding terrorism, vowing “Tether will seize any amount of coin in illicit activity” .) And in his new role, Lutnick has labeled President Trump “the crypto president” and actively promoted crypto‐friendly policies. For example, at a Cabinet meeting in August 2025 he announced the Commerce Department would “start issuing its statistics on the blockchain” – beginning with GDP – to leverage blockchain’s transparency .
Throughout his career, analysts note, Lutnick has “promote[d] the adoption of cryptocurrency” . His tenure has been marked by a consistent message: crypto (and Bitcoin in particular) should be embraced by regulators and Wall Street. In interviews and speeches he has contrasted his approach with the prior administration’s. He declares that under President Trump the U.S. will be a “Bitcoin country,” fully embracing the industry “from here on out” .
Major Crypto Initiatives and Partnerships
- Bitcoin Financing Business (Jul 2024): Cantor Fitzgerald announced a new business to provide loans to Bitcoin holders, with an initial $2 billion funding commitment . Lutnick said Cantor was a “strong supporter of Bitcoin” building a platform for Bitcoin investors .
- Tether‐Backed Lending (Nov 2024): Reuters reported that Cantor was negotiating with Tether to support a $2 billion program lending dollars against Bitcoin collateral . This plan (still unsealed) reflects Cantor’s deep ties to Tether.
- Bitcoin Acquisition Vehicle (Apr 2025): Cantor (now led by Lutnick’s sons) agreed to join SoftBank, Tether and Bitfinex in a $3.6 billion Bitcoin purchase vehicle (21 Capital) . Tether and Bitfinex would contribute over $2 billion in Bitcoin, with SoftBank adding $900 million .
- Crypto SPAC Deals (2025): Cantor has advised and underwritten crypto‐themed SPACs. For example, a Cantor-backed SPAC merged with “BSTR” – a planned Bitcoin treasury company led by Adam Back – to create a public vehicle for holding Bitcoin .
- Blockchain Data Publication (2025): As Commerce Secretary, Lutnick initiated a plan to publish official economic data (starting with GDP) on a public blockchain. He said the goal is to “make [data] available to the entire government” via the blockchain .
These initiatives show that Lutnick’s circle is pursuing both private‐sector and public‐sector crypto projects. His firm is building new financial products around Bitcoin (lending, trading, custody) while his government role is pushing blockchain tech into official use.
In summary, Howard Lutnick has become deeply involved in the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency space. His companies – especially Cantor Fitzgerald – now offer Bitcoin financing and custody services , hold significant crypto assets, and forge crypto joint‐ventures (with Tether, SoftBank, etc.). Lutnick himself publicly praises Bitcoin and crypto, calling for U.S. leadership in mining and blockchain innovation . Every indication is that Lutnick will continue to champion cryptocurrencies in both the private sector and his role in government.
Sources: News reports and interviews detailing Lutnick’s statements and Cantor Fitzgerald’s crypto activities .