Hình ảnh minh hoạ về loại tài sản tiền điện tử mới mang tên meme $Trump. Thực chất,  meme $Trump là một tài sản tiền điện tử có thể giao dịch trên thị trường tiền ảo, không giống đồng Trump vật lý được bán làm đồ lưu niệm. Ảnh: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images
Cover This is not what the $Trump meme coin looks like. $Trump is a tradable crypto asset, unlike physical Trump coins sold as souvenirs and novelties. (Photo by Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)
Hình ảnh minh hoạ về loại tài sản tiền điện tử mới mang tên meme $Trump. Thực chất,  meme $Trump là một tài sản tiền điện tử có thể giao dịch trên thị trường tiền ảo, không giống đồng Trump vật lý được bán làm đồ lưu niệm. Ảnh: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

The $Trump meme coin combines the world of crypto and finance with celebrity culture. Here’s what you need to know about it

Cryptocurrency can feel like a world of its own, filled with jargon, volatility, and more coins than one could ever keep track of. But among the Bitcoins and Ethereums, there’s a quirky subgenre that never fails to turn heads: meme coins. Born from internet humour and fuelled by social media hype, these coins often blur the lines between financial speculation and cultural commentary.

Recently, two meme coins have grabbed the spotlight: the Trump coin ($Trump) and the Melania coin ($Melania). Tied to one of the world’s most recognisable power couples, these tokens bring a new twist to the cryptocurrency craze. Here are a few things you need to know about these meme coins.

Read more: 8 guests we were surprised—and puzzled—to see at Donald Trump's inauguration

 

1. Meme coins are not like Bitcoin

Meme coins are a playful subset of cryptocurrency that rely on humor, pop culture references, and social media hype. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which focus on innovation and utility, meme coins thrive on virality and community enthusiasm. They are fun, unpredictable, and not always the most serious investments. Their value depends more on trends and endorsements than on any underlying utility.

Also read: From memes to emojis, here’s what drives Gen Z’s purchasing decisions

2. $Trump was among the top 20 cryptocurrencies in the world shortly after its launch

The Trump coin ($Trump) made a big splash when it launched, riding on the popularity of Donald Trump. Trump-affiliated entities hold 800 million of the billion $Trump tokens created, while the public can purchase the remaining 200 million. In just a few days, the coin’s value skyrocketed by over 300 per cent, briefly placing it among the top 20 cryptocurrencies in the world. 

 

3. Melania Trump also launched her own meme coin, which briefly affected $Trump’s value.

Following the launch of $rump, Melania Trump introduced her own token, $Melania, also on the Solana blockchain. Unlike $Trump, $Melania is positioned as a coin with a philanthropic angle, aiming to support charitable causes within the meme coin space.

The debut of $Melania had an immediate impact on $Trump’s value. As attention shifted to Melania’s token, the price of $Trump dropped significantly, losing more than 50 per cent of its value in a short period. This demonstrated the competitive nature of the meme coin market, where the release of a new coin can influence the value of existing ones. Despite the dip, $Trump eventually stabilised and regained some of its value, highlighting the unpredictable volatility of these coins.

 

4. Its success also helped boost the value of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies

Even as $Trump’s value soared on Trump’s first day in office, the crypto industry was given a shot in the arm at the new president’s apparent enthusiasm. In contrast to his predecessor’s tight regulation on crypto, Trump has signalled that his administration will be friendlier to the industry. 

In response to the inauguration and to the surge of $Trump, Bitcoin also briefly hit a new record of US$109,071 on Monday, though it has since stabilised.

5. Eighty per cent of Trump meme coin tokens are owned by Trump affiliates

Notably, a disclosure statement on the website selling $Trump tokens says that CIC Digital, which organised the meme coin venture, and its affiliates own 80 per cent of the tokens. This means that a large portion of the coin’s supply is controlled by these groups, which could influence the market in significant ways.

6. Its value continues to fluctuate

Meme coins are known for their dramatic price swings, and $Trump is no exception. After its initial surge, the coin’s value fluctuated wildly. According to cryptocurrency price tracker CoinGecko, it was last trading at US$36.38 as of this report. It had peaked at US$75 shortly after launch.

 

 

7. The $Trump meme coin is different from the physical Trump coins

The $Trump meme coin is not to be confused with the physical Trump coins launched in September 2024. The physical Trump coins are collectible items, often sold as souvenirs or novelty pieces. They have no inherent market value beyond their status as memorabilia, whereas the $Trump coin is a tradable asset whose value fluctuates based on market demand, speculation and the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

 

More than just a digital token, $TRUMP is a cultural statement. It reflects the power of branding in the cryptocurrency space and highlights the growing intersection of politics, finance, and pop culture.

Whether it’s a fleeting trend or a lasting player in the crypto market remains to be seen. But for now, $Trump offers a fascinating case study of how internet culture and celebrity influence can shape financial markets.

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