In a surprising turn of events, Eric Trump has officially confirmed what many crypto observers suspected – the Trump family is fully invested in the Official Trump [TRUMP] memecoin. This revelation comes after a period of contradictory messaging from the Trump camp regarding their involvement with cryptocurrency ventures.
The Presidential Pivot to Crypto
Donald Trump, once a vocal critic who dismissed cryptocurrency as being “based on thin air,” has dramatically changed his stance since beginning his second term as President. The TRUMP token, launched shortly before his January 2025 inauguration, has become a cornerstone of the family’s business strategy .
The memecoin initially surged to $75 before experiencing a significant crash, but the Trump family profited regardless through transaction fees. With a total supply of 1 billion tokens, 800 million (80%) were allocated to CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of The Trump Organization, while 200 million were made available to the public .
Token Structure and Distribution
The reserved tokens were locked for periods ranging from three to 12 months, followed by a gradual daily unlocking schedule over the subsequent 24 months – a mechanism designed to prevent large-scale sell-offs and maintain market stability .
Access Through Digital Assets
What makes the TRUMP memecoin particularly noteworthy is how it potentially enables foreign actors to gain access to the President. Following a price decline, the venture launched a promotion where the 220 largest token holders would be invited to a gala dinner at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, with the top 25 receiving VIP access to the President and a White House tour.
Investigative reporting revealed that nearly half of the top 220 buyers used crypto exchanges that block U.S. users, suggesting foreign origin. Among the notable attendees was Justin Sun, a Chinese crypto billionaire facing fraud charges from the SEC under the previous administration, who spent over $20 million on TRUMP tokens to become the top buyer.
The WLFi Connection
The Trump Organization has expanded its crypto footprint beyond the memecoin. In September, the family launched WLFi, which has become central to their financial strategy. After Trump’s election victory, Justin Sun purchased $75 million worth of WLFi tokens and became an adviser to the project.
Eric Trump and Zach Witkoff announced a $2 billion investment via a WLFi-issued stablecoin, backed by Abu Dhabi’s government. Initially, Trump’s sons attempted to distance themselves from the TRUMP memecoin, but Eric recently reversed course, officially linking the token to WLFi .
Regulatory Implications
The administration’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation has shifted dramatically. In April, the Justice Department was instructed to dismantle its crypto fraud unit. This stands in stark contrast to the previous regulatory environment, where figures like Sam Bankman-Fried received lengthy prison sentences for crypto-related fraud.
Trump has declared his intention to make America the “crypto capital of the planet,” signaling a significant policy shift that aligns with his family’s business interests in the space.
Financial Impact
Since January 2025, the memecoin token and affiliated crypto projects have reportedly earned the Trump family over $350 million in trading revenue and fees . Unlike traditional political donations, these profits don’t fall under campaign finance laws and are largely anonymous and untraceable.
The TRUMP token’s market value reached more than $27 billion shortly after its initial coin offering in January 2025, valuing Trump’s holdings at more than $20 billion . This venture has faced criticism from ethics experts who point to potential conflicts of interest between Trump’s presidential duties and his promotion of the cryptocurrency.
