On February 26, 2025, Jeff Bezos — Amazon founder and owner of The Washington Post — issued a memo that shook one of America’s most prominent newsrooms. In it, Bezos declared a new editorial direction for the newspaper’s opinion section, centered around two fundamental principles: the defense of personal liberty and the promotion of free markets. While the change has caused waves of dissent internally, it has been surprisingly well-received by some of the loudest voices in the crypto world.
What Changed at The Washington Post?
Bezos’ memo stated that The Post will no longer offer space to viewpoints that stand in opposition to liberty or free enterprise. He argued that freedom, both ethical and practical, enables invention and prosperity. The shakeup has already prompted the resignation of opinion editor David Shipley, who reportedly declined to lead the section under the new policy.
A Shift in Direction and Internal Fallout
Shipley’s exit follows months of internal tension. Just last year, Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigned after The Post refused to publish her work critical of Bezos. The paper also declined to endorse a presidential candidate for the 2024 election — a decision that reportedly led to a wave of staff departures and a subscriber drop of 8%.
Though The Washington Post’s leadership insists the move isn’t politically motivated, many staffers and readers see the policy change as a pivot to the right. Reports claim that the editorial board had been preparing to endorse Kamala Harris before Bezos pulled the plug on endorsements altogether. Three editorial board members have resigned since.
Why Crypto Figures Are Cheering
Despite internal unrest, the memo struck a chord with leaders in the crypto space. From Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong to Tron’s Justin Sun and Bitcoin evangelist Michael Saylor, prominent voices have rallied around Bezos’ emphasis on free markets — a philosophy deeply woven into the crypto ethos.
- Brian Armstrong endorsed the move, reposting Bezos’ memo and linking to his blog post defending market capitalism.
- Nic Carter offered to contribute crypto columns to The Post, saying he’s ready to “fix the coverage.”
- Jeff Park of Bitwise praised Bezos in the comments, and Justin Sun amplified the memo to his large following.
Even though Saylor didn’t comment on the media policy directly, he reiterated that Bitcoin is a tool for freedom and economic autonomy — aligning with Bezos’ stated principles, at least in theory.
Crypto’s Longstanding Affinity for Free Markets
The crypto industry has long championed economic decentralization and individual empowerment. In that context, Bezos’ promise to prioritize those values resonates deeply. Whether it’s bypassing traditional banking systems or resisting centralized control, crypto’s founding ethos echoes the pillars Bezos now champions at The Post.
That said, the crypto world isn’t monolithic. Some community members criticize the Trump administration — which many see as aligned with Bezos’ new direction — for tariffs or gimmicky token projects. But in 2025, such views are no longer dominant in crypto discourse.
The Trump-Bezos-Crypto Triangle
It’s no coincidence that Bezos’ announcement has come during a pro-crypto political shift under President Donald Trump’s second term. Since January, the federal government has rolled out several proposals favorable to Bitcoin, including a strategic reserve initiative. State-level support for crypto is also growing, as is the rollback of regulations perceived as hostile to the sector.
Regulatory Reversal and Crypto Optimism
From the shelving of Operation Choke Point 2.0 to court dismissals of major SEC lawsuits, the legal landscape for crypto has dramatically improved. In this climate, Bezos’ vocal support of free enterprise reads — to many in crypto — like a signal that the country’s largest media outlets may finally be shifting in their favor.
Criticism Beyond the Crypto Sphere
Still, not everyone is celebrating. Critics argue that pledging allegiance to personal liberty while simultaneously banning dissenting views from a historically nonpartisan newspaper is contradictory. Freedom of speech, they argue, includes space for opinions that challenge capitalism or critique dominant economic models.
The Irony of Free Markets in a Technofeudal Age
While Bezos frames his new policy as a defense of free markets, some suggest he represents their antithesis: technofeudalism. Economist and author Yanis Varoufakis coined the term to describe a modern system where tech giants function like medieval lords — extracting rents from smaller businesses that depend on their platforms.
Unlike traditional capitalist firms, which compete for profit, technofeudal entities generate revenue from control rather than innovation. Amazon, critics argue, doesn’t produce — it rents space, data, and digital infrastructure. From that perspective, Bezos may not be a champion of capitalism but rather one of its disruptors.
Final Thoughts: Support or Suspicion?
In pledging editorial loyalty to personal freedom and economic liberalism, Jeff Bezos has gained unexpected fans in crypto circles. For an industry built on resisting centralized authority, any high-profile support for individual sovereignty is welcome. But questions remain: Can The Washington Post promote liberty while filtering dissent? Can Bezos — one of the most powerful tech moguls alive — credibly stand for market freedom?
The crypto community may not have all the answers, but one thing is certain: in a world where narratives shift quickly, the alliance between Silicon Valley media power and blockchain evangelists could prove more than just symbolic — it could reshape the way public discourse is defined.
