Donald Trump’s recent launch of the TRUMP memecoin has stirred debate in the cryptocurrency world, with both its meteoric rise and ethical questions taking center stage.
The coin debuted on the Solana network, skyrocketing by 30,000% before suffering a significant correction. Meanwhile, author Robert Kiyosaki expressed skepticism, describing the crypto sector’s shift towards speculative assets as undermining its potential as the future of finance.
Kiyosaki, known for advocating tangible assets like gold, silver, and Bitcoin, suggested that memecoins like TRUMP reflect a troubling trend. Despite his concerns, TRUMP gained traction quickly, peaking at $75 before falling to $40. The drop coincided with investor interest shifting to MELANIA, another memecoin launched by incoming First Lady Melania Trump.
The coin’s structure, with 80% of its supply reportedly held in Trump’s wallet and no lockup period, has sparked criticism over potential manipulation. Platforms like Robinhood and KuCoin have still opted to list TRUMP, contributing to its partial recovery.
As Trump prepares to take office, his promises to promote crypto growth have raised questions about whether initiatives like TRUMP help or harm the industry. Critics remain divided on whether such speculative ventures detract from or contribute to crypto’s long-term legitimacy.
Cryptocurrency exchanges that introduce altcoins may find themselves trapped in an endless cycle of listing speculative tokens, particularly memecoins, warns Alex Leishman, CEO of River Financial.
A major U.S. bank is facing legal action for allegedly mishandling customer funds, which led to a financial crisis that left 85,000 individuals unable to access their savings.
Since the post-election surge, daily trading volumes have dropped significantly, now averaging around $35 billion, which is comparable to levels seen before Donald Trump’s presidential win.
FTX is poised to begin reimbursing claims over $50,000 starting May 30, nearly 27 months after its spectacular collapse in November 2022, marking a significant milestone in its contentious bankruptcy process.