Trump Family Bets Big on Crypto with NFTs, DeFi, and Memecoins
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and his family are going all-in on cryptocurrencies, with involvement ranging from NFTs and memecoins to a decentralized finance (DeFi) initiative and even Bitcoin mining. The family's growing portfolio of crypto ventures has collectively reached close to $1 billion in unrealized gains, based on Bloomberg estimates from publicly available data—even amid ongoing market volatility triggered by trade tensions.
A Billion-Dollar Bet on Digital Assets
Despite Donald Trump's past skepticism toward digital currencies—he famously labeled Bitcoin a "scam" in 2021—the Trump family's position has shifted dramatically. Today, they're not just endorsing crypto; they're building an empire around it. Their ventures include:
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NFTs through Trump Trading Cards
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A DeFi initiative named World Liberty Financial
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Memecoins launched by both Donald and Melania Trump
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Plans for a stablecoin and crypto mining efforts
Eric Trump emphasized transparency during an April interview with Bloomberg TV, stating, “We’ve believed in crypto for a long time... I don’t work with the White House, so there’s no conflict.”
Trump’s NFT Journey: The Gateway to Crypto
Trump’s entry into the crypto world began in December 2022 with the release of Trump-themed nonfungible tokens. These digital trading cards—depicting the former president in superhero and action-figure-like attire—were created in partnership with longtime associate Bill Zanker. Four NFT collections later, the initiative has earned millions in revenue, with Trump even hosting dinners for top collectors.
DeFi Play: World Liberty Financial
Ahead of the 2024 election, the Trump family launched World Liberty Financial, a DeFi platform promising crypto-based lending and financial services. While key features are still under development, the platform has raised $550 million across two token sale rounds.
Trump’s holding company, DT Marks DeFi LLC, retains a 60% equity stake, and collects 75% of net revenue, including from token sales. His sons—Donald Jr., Eric, and Barron—are listed as "Web3 Advisors" to the project, raising ethical concerns about their political influence and regulatory sway.
Zach Witkoff, co-founder of World Liberty, is the son of developer Steve Witkoff, a known Trump family ally, which further connects the business and political circles behind the initiative.
Speculative Coins: The Memecoin Move
Just before Trump's second inauguration in January 2025, both he and Melania Trump debuted their own memecoins, adding to the speculative frenzy. These joke-like crypto assets, which have minimal practical value, saw a rapid price surge early on—reportedly generating over $11.4 million in transaction fees in the first month. However, prices have since dropped sharply.
While the launch sparked excitement among some crypto enthusiasts, it also drew criticism from others who questioned the long-term value and motives behind the memecoins.
Looking Ahead: Crypto and the Trump Comeback
As Trump continues to push his vision of making the U.S. the "crypto capital of the world," he has backed this stance with executive orders, public endorsements, and industry appointments like David Sacks and Bo Hines. According to Cornell University’s Eswar Prasad, “The Trump family seems intent on locking in their position in crypto before further regulation reshapes the industry.”
From digital collectibles to DeFi, the Trump family’s presence in crypto is growing rapidly—blurring the lines between politics, finance, and technology as they prepare for what could be a pivotal chapter in both the industry and Trump’s legacy.
