Hamilton’s Legacy Meets the Future of Finance
Alexander Hamilton believed in the power of structure. He believed in order, in systems, and in building a financial foundation strong enough to support a young, ambitious republic. But if he could see what’s become of that vision today, he might not recognize it.
Hamilton’s Legacy
Hamilton was a pragmatist. As the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury, he understood that if America was going to survive, it needed a stable currency, a way to manage debt, and a national bank to organize the chaos left behind by war and revolution. But what Hamilton never supported was a system where that structure would evolve into a monopoly of control, or worse, a weapon of compliance.
Hamilton’s bank was designed to serve the people. Today’s mega banks and global financial systems seem to have forgotten that part.
Today’s largest financial institutions have drifted far from Hamilton’s blueprint. They’re no longer content with managing money. Now, they’re managing morality. The priorities have shifted away from transparency and trust, and toward political influence, ideological alignment, and global mandates that sideline the American people.
Hamilton believed in a centralized system, but one built to empower citizens, not to silence them. He wanted to give a young nation the tools it needed to grow. He never imagined a day when those same tools would be used to shut down accounts over political donations, freeze payments over “misinformation,” or rate businesses based on compliance with social trends rather than creditworthiness.
At Old Glory Bank, we see the same cracks in the system that Hamilton warned about.
We’re choosing a different path.
We believe structure matters, but not at the expense of autonomy. We believe in financial institutions, but not ones that pick winners and losers based on who they vote for, what they say, or the industry they work in.
Hamilton's original vision was bold: create a financial system strong enough to protect a free country. But he also understood something deeper – that when institutions forget who they serve, freedom becomes fragile.
In Old Glory Nation, we haven’t forgotten.
Cryptocurrency and Stablecoin Align with Hamilton’s Vision
Old Glory Bank was founded not just in response to modern banking trends, but in defense of the very American ideals Hamilton helped cement: accountability, strength, and service to the people. Your money is not leverage. Your account is not a political tool. Your voice and your financial freedom matter here.
As Hamilton built centralized systems, he did so to empower individuals, stabilize the economy, and protect liberty. The next chapter in our financial system – cryptocurrency, stablecoins, and self-custodial wallets – echoes those values:
- Decentralization as a safeguard: Hamilton feared unchecked power. Crypto offers a decentralized alternative that is resistant to monopolies and overreaching influence.
- Transparency through technology: Blockchain’s open ledger reflects Hamilton’s call for financial clarity and accountability.
- Defense of privacy: Crypto and stablecoins allow individuals to transact without intrusive surveillance.
- Access for all: Just as Hamilton wanted a system that served the people, these technologies give Americans freedom to manage their money outside of systems that increasingly prioritize ideology over individual rights.
- Innovation with integrity: Hamilton was a visionary. Crypto represents the next frontier of financial innovation – one that can be structured to serve freedom, not control it.
Cryptocurrency vs. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) - An Important Distinction
As the world moves further into the digital age, financial innovations are emerging in the digital currency space that are taking up much of the public discourse: Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and cryptocurrencies.
While both operate digitally, the key distinction lies in who controls them and what that means for personal financial autonomy. For those of us working to understand this new era of digital currency, it can be easy to confuse CBDC with crypto.
On January 23, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order entitled “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology.” In this order, he set out “five high-level policy objectives:
1. Protecting the lawful use of blockchain networks, participation in mining and validation, and self-custody of digital assets without unlawful censorship;
2. Promoting dollar-backed stablecoins;
3. Ensuring fair and open access to banking services;
4. Providing “regulatory clarity” for digital assets based on “well-defined jurisdictional regulatory boundaries;” and
5. Prohibiting Central Bank Digital Currencies (“CBDC”).”
The order specifically prohibits CBDC while protecting and promoting the expanded use of crypto, a move we believe Hamilton would encourage. So, what’s the difference?
CBDCs vs. Cryptocurrencies: Who Controls Your Money?
CBDCs are government-backed digital currencies issued by central banks, while cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized networks. Supporters of CBDCs argue they improve efficiency and security, while critics warn they could lead to increased government control over individual financial freedom. On the other hand, cryptocurrencies offer a free-market alternative, though they come with their own risks and volatility.
Stablecoins: The Bridge Between Innovation and Stability
Hamilton valued a stable currency, one that could support trade, investment, and national growth. Stablecoins, which are pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar, offer the best of both worlds: the stability Hamilton demanded and the flexibility of digital innovation.
They enable fast, low-cost transactions, preserve value, and can be used globally, without the volatility of traditional cryptocurrencies. In many ways, stablecoins are a modern reflection of Hamilton’s desire for a reliable, accessible financial system.
Protecting Privacy, Security, and Liberty
Hamilton believed in protecting the rights of citizens. Today, cryptocurrency and stablecoins offer tools to defend those rights:
Privacy: Users can transact without intrusive surveillance.
Security: Decentralized networks resist censorship and manipulation.
Liberty: Individuals can manage their money without fear of political or ideological interference.
A Legacy Reimagined
Hamilton might not have imagined blockchain or digital wallets, but he would recognize the spirit behind them. Cryptocurrency and stablecoins reflect his belief in economic empowerment, financial innovation, and liberty through structure.
If Hamilton were alive today, he might not just support these technologies – he might help refine them, ensuring they remain tools of freedom, not control.
At Old Glory Bank, we honor Hamilton’s brilliance by refusing to let the vision of financial liberty be corrupted. We have built a bank that offers a lifeline back to Hamilton’s core principle: a financial institution that serves the people, not the powerful. We are structured to protect, not to punish. To serve, not to cancel. To innovate, not stall. To stand unapologetically with you and your values.
At Old Glory Bank, we believe America’s financial system should work for America and our freedoms, not against them.
