A cryptocurrency previously associated with USA's First Lady Melania Trump is now facing significant criticism.

Its meme token, "Official Melania Meme," based on Solana, has dropped 96% from its all-time peak.

A cryptocurrency previously linked to former US First Lady Melania Trump is now facing backlash. Its meme token, "Official Melania Meme," based on Solana (SOL), has plummeted 96% from its all-time peak. It has become a cautionary tale for meme coin investors who sought quick gains.

Earlier this year, Melania Trump announced her own venture in the burgeoning Web3 space. It was also noted by the launch of the token during the endorsement of Melania Trump. It looked like her husband's "Official Trump" coin. However, according to a recent report by Benzinga, the Melania token encountered difficulties immediately.

Early Warning Signs:

Questions regarding the project's objectives, ethical implications, and token structure arose early on. These concerns now appear to be valid. However, recent blockchain analysis suggests that the team could be quietly converting large amounts of tokens for their own benefit, at the expense of ordinary investors (Benzinga).

Millions Transferred From Community Funds:

Bubblemaps, a blockchain analytics firm, reported last Monday some troubling activity, according to Benzinga. They accused of large-scale selloffs of the MELANIA token. The project's team is accused of siphoning millions of tokens from community coffers. These funds are used by project contractors for growth and user incentives.

Fifty million tokens, or approximately $30 million, were transferred directly from the community fund, said Bubblemaps. Of that, $3 million was sent to crypto exchanges. About $500,000 has been sold off so far, the analysis found.

Red Flags Over Past Withdrawals

This isn't the first time suspicious activity has taken place. Only 10 days ago, Bubblemaps traced a $2 million withdrawal from the token's liquidity pools. Almost $1 million of that made it to exchanges. The man who allegedly initiated the withdrawal was a prominent figure in the crypto world named Hayden Davis. Well, Davis is behind the embattled LIBRA token in Argentina, too.

The Token Supply Is Concentrated Among Insiders

Moreover, the native MELANIA token has about 92% of its supply held in wallets associated with the project's team. This grants the team nearly total market control. Bubblemaps issued a caution that even more damage is yet to come, as reported by Benzinga.

"The damage is not done," the firm said, referring to the high concentration of tokens in insider wallets. This exposes retail investors to true risk.

What's Next?

The sharp drop and controversy surrounding the MELANIA token are part of a broader trend of dubious meme coin speculation. Many of these tokens are driven by hype rather than sound fundamentals, leading investors to hope for a viral move. But as the example of MELANIA demonstrates, the stakes can be high.

Critics are now calling for greater transparency in such projects. They're demanding tighter regulation and warning investors to conduct due diligence before deciding to buy celebrity-endorsed coins.