The Blubber

Incoming First Lady Melania Trump has introduced her own cryptocurrency just ahead of her husband Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president.

The announcement follows the launch of the $Trump cryptocurrency by President-elect Donald Trump. Both digital coins have seen significant volatility and sharp rises in value since their debut.

"The Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $Melania now," Melania Trump announced Sunday on the social media platform X.

Both the $Trump and $Melania coins feature disclaimers on their official websites, stating they are "not intended to be, or the subject of" an investment opportunity or classified as securities.

According to CoinMarketCap, the $Trump cryptocurrency has a market valuation of approximately $12 billion, while $Melania is valued at around $1.7 billion.

Trump’s Crypto Strategy

Donald Trump, who once referred to cryptocurrency as a "scam," shifted his stance during the 2024 presidential campaign. He became the first major candidate to accept digital assets as donations, signaling a more open approach toward crypto.

The Trump family also launched World Liberty Financial during the campaign, aiming to spearhead a "financial revolution by dismantling the stranglehold of traditional financial institutions." The company has introduced its own cryptocurrency as part of its vision.

The $Trump cryptocurrency was issued by CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of the Trump Organization. This entity was also behind the release of crypto collectible NFTs in 2022, which initially sold for over $1,000 but have since declined in value to about $300, according to CoinGecko.

Melania Trump’s Meme Coin

Melania’s $Melania coin is tied to her company MKT World LLC, which she established in 2021 for a range of ventures, including selling portraits from her tenure as first lady. The coin is classified as a “meme coin,” a type of cryptocurrency often associated with viral internet trends or cultural moments.

While meme coins are relatively easy to create and launch, Melania’s coin has already gained significant traction, climbing into the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market value. It now surpasses the valuation of Sam Altman’s Worldcoin.

The Crypto Landscape

Trump’s crypto-friendly policies have fueled optimism among digital asset investors, with Bitcoin soaring to an all-time high of $109,000 on crypto trading platform Coinbase following his election victory.

Trump has pledged to create a strategic Bitcoin stockpile and appoint regulators who favor a more supportive stance toward digital assets. Many anticipate this will lead to reduced restrictions on the crypto industry, which faced crackdowns under President Joe Biden over concerns of fraud and money laundering.

Adding to the crypto fervor, David Sacks, the incoming artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency advisor, hosted a "Crypto Ball" in Washington, D.C., on Friday.

Meanwhile, Dogecoin—a meme cryptocurrency frequently promoted by Elon Musk, a prominent Trump supporter—has also seen sharp gains this year, further driving interest in meme-based coins.

With their prominent profiles and social media influence, the $Trump and $Melania coins are emerging as significant players in the cryptocurrency market.