By Douglas Gillison, Suzanne McGee and Michelle Price
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cryptocurrency executives swilled cocktails and danced to rap superstar Snoop Dogg on Friday night as they celebrated the approaching inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, whose administration has promised major changes in crypto policy.
After years of butting heads with Washington policymakers, executives from crypto companies including Crypto.com, Kraken, and Exodus partied at the first-ever crypto inauguration ball held at the 90-year-old Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium beneath towering 62-foot (19-metre) columns.
Clad in black tie and ball gowns, guests noshed on miniature lobster rolls and Trump's favored McDonald's burgers and fries, according to social media posts and two attendees who spoke to Reuters. In addition to Snoop Dogg, the entertainment lineup featured rappers Rick Ross and Soulja Boy, the attendees said.
One of many Washington celebrations ahead of Trump's Monday swearing-in, the crypto gala marks a stunning turnaround for an industry that has been in the Biden administration's crosshairs. Two years ago, it looked to be on the brink of extinction amid the collapse of FTX.
Trump, who did not attend the gala, courted crypto campaign cash with promises to be a "crypto president," and is expected next week to issue executive orders aimed at reducing crypto regulatory roadblocks and promoting widespread adoption of digital assets.
"There were a lot of dark years," said Les Borsai, co-founder of the crypto investment adviser Wave Digital Assets, who flew in from Los Angeles. "If this signifies what the future looks like ... I think that's the optimism we've been waiting for."
Swag included "Make Bitcoin Great Again" red baseball caps, and American flag pins with the symbol for Gemini, an event sponsor and crypto exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, who backed Trump's campaign.
SOLD OUT
Tickets sold out at $2,500 each for general admission, the ball's website said, but for a cool $100,000, VIP packages provided face time with tech entrepreneur David Sacks, Trump's incoming crypto czar and the gala's emcee, according to attendees and crypto media outlets.
About 1,500 people attended.
Several other officials from Trump's incoming administration were also present, the attendees said. Other sponsors included the digital asset division of Robinhood, MicroStrategy and Crypto.com, according to the event website. Sponsors had cocktails named in their honor.