Billionaire Business: Donald Trump Launches Meme Coin Ahead of Inauguration

President-elect Donald Trump has launched a new meme coin, $TRUMP, just days before his inauguration, causing a stir in the cryptocurrency world.

My NEW Official Trump Meme is HERE! It’s time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING! Join my very special Trump Community. GET YOUR $TRUMP NOW. Go to https://t.co/GX3ZxT5xyq — Have Fun! pic.twitter.com/flIKYyfBrC

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2025

The coin’s market capitalization soared past $5 billion, driven by a 300% price surge to nearly $29, as reported by CoinMarketCap and Forbes. Trump announced the coin’s debut on Truth Social, emphasizing it as a celebration of his election win and the upcoming inauguration.

The meme coin, developed on the Solana blockchain, is capped at 200 million coins at launch, with plans to expand to 1 billion over the next three years. Trump’s companies, CIC Digital LLC and Fight Fight Fight LLC, own the remaining 80% of the tokens, which have not yet been publicly released. Both will reportedly benefit from trading revenue, though the exact amounts remain undisclosed.

A key disclaimer on the coin’s website makes it clear that $TRUMP is not a political tool or an investment vehicle but merely a “celebration of winning.” Despite this, the coin’s trading volume has reached $6.64 billion since its launch.

Trump’s crypto ventures are not new. His previous support of cryptocurrencies, along with promises to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet,” has been evident throughout his campaign. His push for crypto-friendly policies, including an executive order prioritizing the industry, sent Bitcoin prices soaring.

Beyond crypto, Trump continues to expand his brand with high-ticket merchandise, including NFTs, watches, and limited edition guitars, which have collectively earned millions.