Trump Launches $TRUMP Meme Coin—Token Exceeds $12 Billion Market Cap

How the Story Began: Trump Engaged Top Bitcoin Miners on U.S. Crypto Future

Former President Donald Trump has officially entered the cryptocurrency arena with the launch of his own meme coin, an initiative that has sparked a бурная реакция рынка and polarized industry observers. The move also comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of digital assets.

Trump announced the launch of his $TRUMP meme coin on Truth Social on January 17, with the token quickly garnering attention on both social and mainstream media.

According to data from CoinGecko, the $TRUMP coin saw a wild ride in the hours following its launch. At one point, the token's market capitalization reached $13.6 billion, while its fully diluted valuation stood at around $67.6 billion. However, by 3:05 PM ET on January 19, less than 48 hours after being launched, the coin experienced a steep decline.

This crypto endeavor by the former president follows his engagement with top bitcoin miners at Mar-a-Lago and a speech at a bitcoin conference in April 2024. Trump's involvement in the crypto sphere appears to be linked to the pro-crypto candidates' success in the 2024 November elections and crypto super PACs' substantial influence in the upcoming 2026 midterms.

After Trump's announcement on Truth Social, several bitcoiners voiced their thoughts on the matter. David Bailey, CEO of Bitcoin Magazine, expressed his enthusiasm for the development in an interview with CoinDesk, highlighting how Trump's entry into the crypto scene aligns with the industry's growth and evolution.

"This is a testament to the incredible work of the bitcoin community over the last several years. We've seen an exponential rise in awareness and adoption, and now the former President of the United States is joining the fray. It doesn't get much bigger than this," said Bailey.

However, not everyone in the crypto community shares Bailey's optimism. British bitcoiner and podcast host Peter McCormack sharply criticized Trump's meme coin initiative, describing it as "the opposite of what you voted for" in a video posted on his X account.

"This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. They are destroying everything you voted for. They are mocking you and laughing at you. Don't let them get away with it.の時間切れです。助けてください。"

Neeraj K. Agrawal, Director of Communications at the digital asset think tank Coin Center, also commented on the development, albeit in a more understated manner.

"Anyone else filled with dread?" wrote Agrawal on his X account.

Outspoken Trump supporter and crypto enthusiast Nic Carter posted on X about the development, highlighting concerns over pump and dump schemes in the crypto space.

"Everyone piling on here is aware that crypto is being used in pump and dump schemes, right? And that a persistent problem in this space is how easy it is to create new tokens. Regulators and industry participants are both saying that we need to be vigilant here. Aсалатник from Chainalysis on the subject:," posted Carter.

"The authorities are not doing enough to stop crypto pump and dump scams, a new report from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis has claimed.

The firm's 2025 Crypto Crime Report found that illicit activity now accounts for just 0.15 percent of all cryptocurrency transaction volume, down significantly from 2024. However, the report also highlights a worrying increase in scams and fraud.

According to Chainalysis, scammer revenue rose by 67 percent in 2025, reaching a total of $6.4 billion. This marks the highest level of crypto scam revenue since at least 2019, when Chainalysis began tracking such data.

The vast majority of scammer revenue (82 percent) went to pump and dump schemes, which saw a 35 percent increase in illicit proceeds compared to 2024. Aсалатник from the report on the subject:," reads the follow-up post by Carter.

The development also comes amid a period of heightened regulatory scrutiny of digital assets, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently announcing plans to nearly double its staff dedicated to crypto oversight.

The SEC has maintained a close watch on the crypto industry, with Gary Gensler, the outgoing SEC Chairman, frequently speaking on the need for greater regulatory oversight of digital assets. Gensler's statements and actions have drawn mixed reactions from the crypto community.

In a recent speech at the Practising Law Institute's 23rd Annual Institute on Securities Regulation in New York, Gensler highlighted the importance of protecting investors and ensuring orderly markets, particularly in light of the crypto industry's rapid growth and potential for abuse.

"The SEC has a dual mandate: to protect investors and to maintain orderly, efficient markets. As new financial products and markets emerge, such as digital asset securities, we must ensure that these mandates are carried out effectively