Trump’s $TRUMP Meme Coin Ignites Crypto Frenzy, Hits $15B Peak

In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency world, President-elect Donald Trump announced the launch of his own meme coin, $TRUMP, on January 17, 2025, just days before his second inauguration. The announcement, made via his Truth Social platform and X, sparked a frenzy of buying, propelling the coin’s market capitalization to several billion dollars overnight.

This venture, coordinated by CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of the Trump Organization, marks Trump’s latest foray into the crypto space, following his earlier ventures like World Liberty Financial and NFT trading cards. The $TRUMP meme coin, built on the Solana blockchain, surged from under $1 to a peak of $74.27, briefly ranking among the top 20 crypto assets, according to CoinGecko.

Meme coins, by design, capitalize on viral trends, personalities, or cultural moments, often lacking intrinsic economic value. The $TRUMP coin’s website describes it as a celebration of “a leader who doesn’t back down,” referencing Trump’s resilience following a July 2024 assassination attempt. Despite initial skepticism within the crypto community about its legitimacy, the coin’s announcement on Trump’s official social media channels and his prior collaboration with CIC Digital for NFTs reassured investors.

By mid-morning on January 18, the coin’s market cap hit nearly $6 billion, with a total supply of 1 billion tokens, 80% of which are held by CIC Digital and Fight Fight Fight LLC, subject to a three-year unlocking schedule.

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The meteoric rise didn’t stop there. By January 19, the coin’s value soared to over $15 billion, with trading volume reaching $36.15 billion in 24 hours. However, volatility struck, and by January 20, the price dipped to around $40, reflecting the speculative nature of meme coins. Melania Trump added fuel to the fire by launching her own $MELANIA meme coin on January 19, which reached a market cap of $1.08 billion before dropping to $700 million.

Critics, including crypto insiders, raised ethical concerns, accusing Trump of leveraging his political influence for profit. “Trump owning 80% and timing the launch hours before inauguration is predatory,” said Nick Tomaino, a former Coinbase executive.

The $TRUMP coin’s structure has drawn scrutiny. With 200 million tokens initially issued and plans for an additional 800 million over three years, the market remains wary of potential price manipulation. The SEC has stated that meme coins like $TRUMP don’t qualify as securities due to their speculative nature, but the CFTC claims jurisdiction, citing potential market manipulation risks.

A New York Times analysis revealed that 813,294 wallets lost $2 billion trading $TRUMP, while Trump’s entities reportedly earned $100 million in fees. Ethics experts, like Adav Noti from the Campaign Legal Center, called it “cashing in on the presidency,” highlighting unprecedented conflicts of interest.

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Trump’s crypto pivot aligns with his campaign promise to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet.” His administration’s crypto-friendly stance, including plans for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and reduced regulations, has boosted market optimism, with bitcoin hitting $105,000 shortly after the launch.

However, the $TRUMP coin’s volatility—trading at $8.41 by September 2025—has led to accusations of a “pump and dump” scheme. Some investors, lured by exclusive offers like a gala dinner with Trump for top holders, poured $140 million into the coin in May 2025, only to see its value plummet.

The launch has divided the crypto community. While some see it as a bold use of blockchain for capital formation, others, like K33 analyst David Zimmerman, criticize its “horrendous tokenomics.” The coin’s reliance on Trump’s personal brand ties its value to his political fortunes, a risky proposition for investors.

As Trump navigates his second term, the $TRUMP meme coin remains a polarizing symbol of his influence, blending politics, profit, and speculation in a way that challenges regulatory and ethical norms.