The Trump Memecoin Empire Earns $320 Million — Who Paid the Price?
Donald Trump, once a vocal critic of cryptocurrency, has now become one of its most powerful figures. His family’s net worth jumped by $2.9 billion from crypto-related gains, with 40% of their portfolio now in digital assets .
From memecoins to NFTs and DeFi, Trump and his team have built a vast crypto empire — and it’s making them rich. But behind the scenes, many small investors are losing money.
How the TRUMP Memecoin Made Millions for Insiders
The TRUMP memecoin , launched under Trump’s brand, brought in $320 million in trading fees . Out of that, only 58 wallets made over $10 million each , while 760,000 retail investors lost money , according to Chainalysis.
Trump-linked companies like CIC Digital LLC and Fight Fight Fight LLC control 80% of all TRUMP tokens , with a three-year unlock schedule. These groups also collect revenue from token trading.
Meanwhile, the MELANIA coin , named after the former First Lady, dropped 97% in just four months. A small group of early buyers — including controversial figure Hayden Davis — made around $100 million flipping the token shortly after launch.
A Growing Crypto Empire Beyond Memecoins
Trump’s crypto reach goes beyond memes. His team also backs World Liberty Financial , a DeFi project that raised $590 million in presales earlier this year. Though the market dropped, the project still holds $109 million in assets , according to Arkham Intelligence.
Back in 2022, Trump launched a series of NFTs showing himself as a superhero. The collection sold out quickly and generated $8 million in profit .
Crypto Parties and Ethical Concerns
Recently, Trump invited the top 25 TRUMP token holders to a private dinner at his Virginia golf club. According to Bloomberg, 19 of those guests were linked to foreign or offshore entities banned in the U.S.
This move sparked criticism from lawmakers like Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren , who called for investigations into potential violations of federal ethics rules.
Trump plans to host a second event for the top 220 TRUMP holders at the end of May.
Calls for Regulation Grow
Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres is preparing a bill that would ban sitting U.S. presidents, future leaders, and members of Congress from profiting off memecoins and stablecoins.
The goal? To stop politicians from using their power to push crypto projects for personal gain.
The Bigger Picture: Power, Money, and Crypto
Trump isn’t just using crypto to make money — he’s using it to build influence. From memecoins to ETFs, his support has helped drive market rallies.
But critics argue this creates a system where insiders win and regular investors lose . As crypto becomes more political, questions about fairness, transparency, and regulation grow louder.
Is this the rise of a new kind of digital politics — or just another get-rich-quick scheme wrapped in tech?
