Trump Growing Cryptocurrency Ties Spark Conflict-of-Interest Concerns
In late September 2025, the value of US President Donald Trump’s “meme coin,” $TRUMP, plummeted by almost 8% in just five minutes, wiping out millions of dollars. This cryptocurrency, which was inspired by an online meme, is available for purchase and sale on the open market.
Trump said on X just before he took office again: “My NEW Official Trump Meme is HERE! Now is the moment to honor our core value: WINNING! A drawing of Trump with the words “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT” underneath the tweet was an allusion to his attempted assassination.
The First Lady’s coin, $MELANIA, was created shortly after the declaration and debuted on the market in late September 2025.
There are worries that the president and his family’s involvement in these and other cryptocurrency ventures is obfuscating the distinction between private gain and public office, resulting in an unprecedented ethical hazard.
It’s unknown how much money Trump may make personally from these joke coins. Despite being promoted by the president, the product has “nothing to do with any political campaign,” according to the website gettrumpmemes.com. According to the statement, 80% of the coins are owned by Fight Fight Fight LLC and the Trump Organization, which serves as a holding company for Trump’s business endeavors.
However, detractors like Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, are concerned that Trump might be using the position to increase his family’s fortune. According to Norman Eisen, a former ethics adviser to President Barack Obama, Trump’s cryptocurrency activities could be “the single worst conflict of interest in the modern history of the presidency.”
A New York Times investigation into Trump’s emerging cryptocurrency business argued that it has “eviscerated the boundary between private enterprise and government policy in a manner not seen in modern American history, erasing centuries-old presidential norms.”
Trump’s assistant press secretary, Anna Kelly, issued a statement denying any conflict of interest and claiming that his assets are “in a trust managed by his children” in response to claims that he has profited from interests while in the White House.
A bill to eliminate crypto corruption was presented in May by Democratic Senator Jeff Merkeley of Oregon. It would prohibit the president and other high-ranking officials from “issuing, endorsing, or sponsoring crypto assets.” It seems improbable that the bill will pass the Republican-controlled House and Senate, where it is currently pending with primarily Democratic support.
A family affair
Trump’s cryptocurrency ventures are a family affair. A few months prior to Trump’s second inauguration, in September 2024, his sons Don Jr., Eric, and Barron established World Liberty Financial (WLFI).
Initially identified as its “chief crypto advocate,” the president’s title on the website has since been modified to “co-founder emeritus.” According to the website, this occurred when he became office.
In addition to his sons, WLFI lists Trump’s principal Middle East negotiator and envoy, Steven Witkoff, and Witkoff’s son Zach, as part of its team on its website.
The Trumps claim that WLFI was established as “the beginning of a financial revolution” that would make cryptocurrency easier to utilize. However, detractors claim that because of his engagement, it offers the president a chance to profit monetarily.
When its cryptocurrency, the WLFI token, began trading in September 2025 and peaked at roughly 40 cents per coin, significantly increasing the wealth of the Trump family, more questions were raised.
American Bitcoin was recently launched by Eric Trump as well. This company will mine and store bitcoin, the most precious cryptocurrency in the world, and profit from “opportunistic bitcoin purchases,” according to a press release. According to estimates at the time of its public launch, the Trump sons owned approximately US$1.5 billion (£1.12 billion) worth of American Bitcoin.
Trump’s crypto history
Trump, a former crypto skeptic, once declared that he was “not a fan” of bitcoin. However, he stated that he aimed to establish the United States as “the crypto capital of the planet” shortly before he returned to office.
When Trump became the first prominent presidential contender to address a standing-room-only crowd at bitcoin’s annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee in July 2024, it was an early indication of his interest in the cryptocurrency space.
Trump assists in establishing and enforcing crypto policy as America’s top law enforcement official, which is the very field in which his family’s companies currently operate. One story claims that the Trump family’s cryptocurrency holdings, at least on paper, have topped $5 billion, surpassing Trump’s enormous real estate holdings.
The US constitution’s emoluments clauses, which were drafted in 1789, forbid US officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments and shield presidents from corrupting influences. However, some people now believe that they need to be updated.
This is not a hypothetical issue. Freight Technologies (Fr8Tech), a Mexican company listed on the Nasdaq, declared in May 2025 that it will raise up to US$20 million to buy $TRUMP meme coins.
“We believe that the addition of the Official Trump tokens [is] an effective way to advocate for fair, balanced, and free trade between Mexico and the US,” Fr8Tech CEO Javier Selgas said, highlighting the deal’s economic and political benefits against the backdrop of the US raising tariffs on Mexico.
A company like Fr8Tech can promote the Trump family’s financial interests and potentially obtain favorable treatment on trade policy by buying Trump’s meme coin. When Trump invited the biggest $TRUMP holders to a black-tie dinner at his Virginia club, more questions were raised.
Trump’s crypto credentials
Trump is the most pro-crypto president in history. He established a national bitcoin strategic reserve in March by signing an executive order, which he has presented as a representation of US leadership in the digital asset market. Additionally, David Sacks, Trump’s AI and cryptocurrency czar, has made historic announcements to strengthen the “rules of the road” for cryptocurrency regulation.
Under Trump, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, an executive branch organization that oversees markets, has abandoned the Joe Biden era’s strategy and adopted a pro-crypto stance. This has included the dismissal of lawsuits against well-known cryptocurrency companies like Coinbase.
However, even though the Trump family gains money from their growing cryptocurrency holdings, this could still be a hollow triumph. Democrats might utilize the House of Representatives to examine the president’s cryptocurrency holdings and draw attention to issues about conflicts of interest if they take control of the chamber in the 2026 midterm elections.
Disclaimer and Risk Warning
coinweck does not endorse or is responsible for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products, or other materials on this page. The image used in this article is for informational purposes only and is provided to us by a third party. coinweck should not be held responsible for image copyright issues. Contact us if you have any issues or concerns. Readers should do their research before taking any actions related to the company.