Bitcoin Is A Commodity Like Gold, Says Commerce Secretary Lutnick

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has outlined a bold vision to position the United States as the global leader in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) innovation, starting with mining.

What Happened: In a Bitcoin Magazine exclusive interview on April 28, Lutnick proposed a revolutionary approach: allowing Bitcoin miners to build power plants directly at mining sites, including the ability to place data centers “on top of gas fields” with dedicated energy sources.

This would eliminate reliance on the broader electrical grid and enable miners to scale sustainably.

“If you want to mine Bitcoin and find the right place to do it, you can build your own power plant next to it,” Lutnick said.

This strategy falls under the Investment Accelerator program, which offers regulatory support for large-scale investments in U.S. infrastructure: investments over $1 billion get streamlined permitting assistance.

Projects over $10 billion receive dedicated full-time government liaisons offering “white glove service.”

Also Read: Watch This Bitcoin Indicator To Know If A Run To $100,000 Is Coming

Why It Matters: Lutnick, who began investing in Bitcoin in 2017 and went “all in” by 2020, emphasized that this administration is crypto-forward.

There are three major Bitcoin advocates in key positions: President Trump, ‘Crypto Czar’ David Sacks, and myself, he said.

He likened Bitcoin to gold, arguing it should be treated as a commodity, not a security: "What is Bitcoin like? It's like gold… You should be able to buy and sell Bitcoin freely—it's a commodity."

Lutnick also revealed discussions within the Bureau of Economic Analysis to treat Bitcoin similarly to gold bullion in national economic data, a move that could elevate its standing in financial reporting.

What's Next: While Lutnick declined to update the status of a proposed Bitcoin strategic reserve audit, he reaffirmed that the administration has delivered on key promises to the crypto industry.

He noted that further Bitcoin-focused policies will resume after the administration addresses global trade and geopolitical stability.

Lutnick contrasted the current approach with the prior administration, saying: "was treated under the Biden administration like you were doing something wrong…now you have that sort of in the rearview mirror and then it’s gone and it’ll never come back.”

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