The value of Donald Trump’s meme cryptocurrency, known as $Trump, has surged by over 70% following the announcement of two high-profile events hosted by the former U.S. president for its top investors.
According to the coin’s official website, the 220 largest holders of the $Trump coin will be invited to a private gala dinner with Trump on May 22 at the Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C. The site describes it as the “most EXCLUSIVE INVITATION in the world.” Additionally, the top 25 investors will receive access to an “ultra-exclusive” VIP reception with the former president himself.
Following the announcement, trading platform Coinbase reported that the coin’s value soared, although it remains below its all-time high of over $74 shortly after its launch in January. The total market capitalization of the Trump tokens currently stands at around $2.5 billion.
The $Trump coin is one of several crypto-related ventures connected to Trump, who has referred to himself as the “crypto president.” The token was launched just days before his return to the White House in January, and First Lady Melania Trump also released her own cryptocurrency around the same time.
While supporters have embraced the token as a form of digital allegiance, critics within the cryptocurrency industry have dismissed it as a gimmick. Some have labeled the recent announcement as a “stunt” designed to drive up prices and attention.
Meme coins like $Trump are often associated with internet culture, speculative trading, and fan engagement, rather than underlying financial fundamentals.
Trump’s administration has leaned heavily into digital assets since his return to office. Earlier this year, he signed an executive order establishing a presidential working group to draft new cryptocurrency regulations. Another order created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a broader Digital Asset Stockpile, both of which will include cryptocurrencies seized by the federal government in legal proceedings.
In a related move, Trump’s media company—Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social—announced plans this week to launch a series of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These funds will focus on both digital assets and traditional stocks with a “Made in America” emphasis.
ETFs are investment products that track a collection of assets, and can be traded on stock exchanges like individual shares. The announcement marks a further push by Trump-aligned businesses into the financial and digital asset sectors.
As Trump’s crypto ventures continue to expand, questions remain over how they will be regulated—and whether investor enthusiasm can be sustained amid shifting market conditions.
