In a move that stunned both political and financial circles, US President-elect Donald Trump has introduced his own cryptocurrency, $TRUMP, igniting a flurry of trading activity that sent its valuation soaring. The announcement, made late Friday on Trump’s official social media accounts, has already positioned $TRUMP as one of the fastest-growing assets in the crypto space.
The new cryptocurrency is described as a “digital symbol of strength and independence,” according to its official site, and comes with messaging aimed squarely at Trump’s supporter base. “This coin embodies the spirit of America First,” the website declares, emphasizing themes of resilience and leadership.
The coin has caused ripples in the crypto market, not only due to its connection to Trump but also because of its classification as a meme coin — a type of cryptocurrency that thrives on community interest and cultural relevance rather than functional utility. While some traders dismissed it as a speculative novelty, others rushed to buy, driving its market capitalization to over $6 billion within hours of its launch.
Critics were quick to raise concerns about the coin’s legitimacy, particularly given the rise of scam tokens falsely linked to public figures. However, Trump’s direct endorsement on his verified platforms, coupled with his association with CIC Digital LLC — a company that previously managed his NFT projects — lent credibility to the venture.
The launch revealed that an initial supply of 200 million $TRUMP coins had been issued, with plans to gradually release another 800 million over the next three years. Despite the massive market interest, neither Trump nor the managing firm, Liberty Blockchain Ventures, disclosed details about how much the president-elect stands to gain from the project.
Trump’s relationship with cryptocurrency has shifted dramatically in recent years. Once an outspoken critic of digital currencies, he pivoted during his campaign, promising to position the United States as a global leader in crypto innovation. His platform included pledges to reduce regulatory hurdles and encourage investment in blockchain technology.
The launch of $TRUMP is seen as an extension of this new outlook, marking the president-elect’s first direct foray into the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency. Whether this venture becomes a lasting feature of Trump’s economic legacy or fades as a fleeting trend remains to be seen, but for now, $TRUMP has captured the attention of both supporters and skeptics alike.
