US President Donald Trump, who once branded cryptocurrency a “scam,” has made over $1.2 billion through it in just one year. This dramatic turn has raised eyebrows and sparked controversy around how public officials can profit from private ventures while in office.

Understanding Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is digital money that operates differently from regular cash. Traditional money is issued by central banks and regulated through the banking system. In contrast, cryptocurrencies are created by computer code, which may be monitored by a company or operate independently.

Transactions in traditional currencies go through banks, whereas cryptocurrency transactions are recorded on blockchains. Blockchains are secure databases that show ownership and transactions. Bitcoin is the most well-known cryptocurrency and operates without central control. However, many new cryptocurrencies exist, often created by companies aiming to profit through various digital tokens.

Trump’s Crypto Ventures

Trump and his family are engaged in multiple cryptocurrency projects, including a memecoin called $TRUMP, a governance token named WLFI, and a stablecoin called USD1. Memecoins don’t have inherent value and depend mainly on public interest. Conversely, stablecoins are designed to mirror real currencies, like the U.S. dollar, providing a more stable investment.

The $TRUMP memecoin launched shortly before Trump’s inauguration and about 80% of its supply is owned by Trump-affiliated businesses, which earn fees from every transaction. World Liberty Financial, another company created by Trump’s family, holds a significant stake in the governance token WLFI and earned over $500 million last year.

According to financial records, Trump’s cryptocurrency dealings have greatly increased his wealth. His estimated net worth surged from $2.3 billion in 2024 to $6 billion in 2025.

How Does One Profit from Tokens?

The money-making process in the stablecoin business revolves around taking in regular dollars and issuing digital coins. For USD1, Trump partnered with Binance, a major cryptocurrency exchange, allowing them to promote the currency on their platform and build up reserves that earn interest. This partnership led to a substantial investment from a large state fund, providing Trump’s ventures significant financial backing.

The $TRUMP memecoin operates on hype. Every trade generates revenue for those behind it. Critics argue it serves as a vehicle for untraceable contributions to Trump and mirrors practices that can undermine public trust.

While initial excitement led to significant profits, the value of the $TRUMP memecoin has since plummeted by about 98% from its peak, causing significant losses for many investors involved.

The Bigger Picture

Trump’s involvement in cryptocurrency raises questions about ethics and the potential for conflicts of interest. Although some regulations implemented during his time in office have clarified the crypto landscape, critics worry that these regulations could be compromised by stories of favoritism and corruption linked to his business ventures.

The gravity of these issues extends beyond Trump, potentially undermining the U.S.’s reputation for maintaining the rule of law. When anyone can buy a coin associated with a sitting president, it calls into question the integrity of public office.

What this means for you

This situation highlights the intricate relationship between politics and private enterprise, raising concerns about accountability. It’s essential to be cautious when dealing with investments in complex areas like cryptocurrency. If you ever need to review cryptocurrency or investment-related agreements, legal-document-to-plain-english-translator/”>AI legalese decoder can translate them into plain English in seconds.

Source: https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/06/how-trump-made-more-than-2-billion-from-crypto-in-a-year/