Melania Trump Launches Cryptocurrency Ahead of Presidential Inauguration
On the eve of her husband’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Melania Trump announced the launch of her own cryptocurrency, $Melania. Her foray into the digital currency world follows closely on the heels of Donald Trump’s debut of the $Trump cryptocurrency just a day earlier. Both coins have already seen fluctuating trading activity in the market.
Taking to the social platform X, Melania wrote, “The Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $MELANIA now.” According to its official website, $Melania is built on the Solana blockchain and is described as a crypto asset with disclaimers highlighting that it is “not intended to be” an investment vehicle or security. Meanwhile, $Trump has already gained significant traction, boasting a market valuation of $12 billion, while $Melania’s sits at an estimated $1.7 billion, as per data from CoinMarketCap.
The launch of these Trump-themed cryptocurrencies marks a dramatic shift in the former president’s stance on digital assets. After once labeling cryptocurrencies a “scam,” Donald Trump embraced digital currencies during his 2024 campaign by becoming the first presidential candidate to accept crypto donations. He also pledged to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve and appoint crypto-friendly regulators, raising speculation about the potential loosening of industry regulations under his presidency.
Bitcoin saw a surge to an unprecedented $140,000 in the wake of Donald Trump’s election victory, reflecting heightened interest in the crypto market. Other tokens, including Dogecoin—championed by prominent Trump supporter Elon Musk—have also experienced substantial gains this year.
Melania’s launch coincides with a series of crypto-related events in the capital, including a high-profile “Crypto Ball” hosted by incoming technology and crypto policy adviser David Sacks. This comes against the backdrop of restrictive policies under the Biden administration, where regulators cracked down on crypto firms, citing concerns over fraud and money laundering.
The Trump family’s latest moves signal the increasing intersection of politics, cryptocurrency, and influence. As the world watches, their initiatives may shape discourse and trends in the contentious and fast-evolving crypto world.
