How Trump’s Meme Coins Are Disrupting Crypto—and Why Some Say It’s A Disaster – Financial Freedom Countdown

Meme coins—highly speculative cryptocurrencies driven by online culture—have always had their critics. Now, they’ve gained a surprising new champion: President Donald Trump.

As the $TRUMP meme coin takes the crypto market by storm, generating billions of dollars in trading activity, it also faces a wave of criticism from industry insiders and ethical watchdogs.

The Birth of $TRUMP: A Wild Start to Meme Coin Mania

The $TRUMP coin was launched on the evening of Friday, 17th Jan, 2025 announced with a tweet on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Truth Social.

Within hours, the coin’s price surged by more than 1,100%, climbing from $6 to $75 before cooling down to below $40 by Tuesday morning.

The launch was coordinated through CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of the Trump Organization, and another company called Fight Fight Fight LLC. Together, they control 80% of the coin’s total supply, giving them significant control over its market dynamics.

Bitcoin and Solana Join the Surge

Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, also experienced a spike, reaching a record $109,071 during Trump’s inauguration day as the 47th U.S. President.

Meanwhile, Solana, the blockchain supporting $TRUMP and a separate Melania token, hit an all-time high of $294.33.

Trump Acknowledges Meme Coin in Press Conference

In the early hours after the launch, some folks questioned if it was real or the social media accounts were hacked.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Trump confirmed his involvement in the project while downplaying his familiarity with its details:

Trump: “I don’t know much about it other than I launched it. I heard it was very successful, I haven’t checked it. Where is it today?”

A reporter highlighted the coin’s profitability:

Reporter: “You made a lot of money, sir.”
Trump: “How much?”
Reporter: “Several billion dollars, it seems like, in the last several days.”
Trump: “Several billion? That’s peanuts for these guys.”

These comments underscored the disconnect between the President’s casual attitude and the significant market and ethical concerns surrounding the coin.

Ethical Concerns and Regulatory Doubts

Critics argue that $TRUMP, along with the First Lady’s $MELANIA coin, which debuted shortly after, undermines efforts to legitimize cryptocurrencies.

While marketed as symbols of support, these coins carry no inherent value.

Analysts worry their rapid dilution through additional token releases—800 million $TRUMP tokens are locked and planned for gradual release—could erode trust in the wider crypto ecosystem.

The $TRUMP coin’s financial success, estimated on paper as high as $58 billion at its peak, was based on a fully diluted valuation (FDV)—an assumption that all future tokens will retain their current value. However, experts dismissed these figures as “theoretical,” highlighting that market supply dynamics often depress value over time.

Industry Backlash: Crypto Insiders Speak Out

Many within the crypto community have expressed frustration with Trump’s association with meme coins.

Nic Carter, a co-founder and partner at the investment firm Castle Island Ventures, commented on X,  “Basically, we used to have an informal rule that presidents wouldn’t start or run businesses that could pose a conflict of interest. Creating a bunch of memecoins and defi protocols opens the possibility to rampant violations of the emoluments clause. Not to mention the obvious COI given the fact that trump can set crypto policy.”

Others noted the conflict of interest inherent in a sitting president profiting from cryptocurrencies while overseeing their regulation.

Representative Ro Khanna (Democrat from California) said, “Elected officials must be barred from having meme coins by law. They are neither neutral money (controlled by insiders) not platforms for innovation.”

Khanna also supports a ban on congressional stock trading.

National Security Implications: A Gateway for Foreign Influence?

The centralized nature of $TRUMP’s supply has raised red flags among national security experts. Critics argue that foreign entities could exploit the coin’s volatility to gain leverage over Trump’s policy decisions.

The constitutional Emoluments Clause was specifically designed to prevent conflicts of interest, but questions remain about whether Trump’s private actions prior to his inauguration fall under its jurisdiction.

What Is a Meme Coin, Really?

Meme coins like $TRUMP and $MELANIA are speculative tokens created by writing code to deploy on a blockchain. They derive value purely from market demand, hype, and cultural significance.

Unlike traditional investments, they offer no shares, dividends, or guarantees of stability. Instead, they thrive on internet virality—a trait that has made them controversial within and beyond the crypto world.

Major Crypto Exchanges List the $Trump Coin

The $TRUMP coin has been listed on Kraken, Coinbase, Crypto.com, Robinhood and Binance.US along with a host of other exchanges.

Crypto experts worry the easy access to the meme coin could result in people loosing money due to the volatility of the token.

What’s Next for Crypto Policy?

Trump’s entry into the crypto market contrasts sharply with the regulatory challenges cryptocurrencies faced under President Joe Biden. Many industry insiders expect a “golden age” of regulatory clarity and innovation during Trump’s term.

Trump’s administration is widely expected to prioritize cryptocurrency initiatives, but details remain sparse.

On Thursday, President Trump signed an executive order “to Establish United States Leadership in Digital Financial Technology”

A Divisive Future for $TRUMP

The $TRUMP meme coin’s launch has reignited debates about cryptocurrency’s role in modern financial systems and political ethics. While the President’s supporters have praised the token as a savvy embrace of modern finance, critics warn that its speculative nature and Trump’s casual detachment risk tarnishing both the crypto industry and his own legacy.

As the world watches to see how $TRUMP and $MELANIA will fare, one thing is clear: the meme coin era is now firmly entrenched in American politics, for better or worse.

Like Financial Freedom Countdown content? Be sure to follow us!

Retirement Is Overrated: 10 Reasons Not To Retire

You might be thinking that retirement sounds excellent – but what if you can’t afford it? What if an unforeseen catastrophe occurs and you need money? The reality is that so many people are retiring later in life because they don’t have enough saved up or can’t afford to take the risk of quitting their job before they know how much money they’ll need each month. Retirees also face many challenges, from loneliness to boredom, but there are ways to combat these problems with the right lifestyle changes. We will discuss why retirement isn’t always as glamorous as it seems and how to avoid these pitfalls by pursuing your goals now!

Retirement Is Overrated: 10 Reasons Not To Retire

Discover the Top 10 U.S. Cities Where Renters’ Income Goes the Furthest

With housing affordability at an all-time low, many Americans are forced to rent. While certain cities offer a higher income potential, they also have higher living cost. For renters, the optimal solution often lies in finding a middle ground — achieving the perfect balance between income and expenses. Luckily, individuals in search of apartments can now make informed decisions by exploring the latest report on RentCafe.com, which identifies cities where they can maximize the value of their budget. Here are the top 10 cities where renters can stretch their dollars.

Discover the Top 10 U.S. Cities Where Renters’ Income Goes the Furthest

Comparing Retirement Ages: How Does the US Stack Up Against Other Countries?

Retirement age fluctuates across nations, influenced by diverse factors such as labor market dynamics, job types, economic policies, gender roles, and pension systems. For instance, Saudi Arabia stands out as the sole country offering full retirement benefits to individuals under 50, whereas in 2023, France faced uproar after raising its retirement age by two years, sparking widespread strikes. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) collects and analyzes retirement data using distinct metrics: – The Current Retirement Age signifies the age at which individuals can retire with full pension benefits after a career starting at age 22, without facing any deductions. – The Effective Retirement Age represents the average age at which workers aged 40 or older exit the workforce, influenced by personal decisions or job availability.

Comparing Retirement Ages: How Does the US Stack Up Against Other Countries?

Avoid These Costly IRA Mistakes Before They Wreck Your Retirement

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are one of the most important tools for securing a financially stable retirement. With contribution limits for tax year 2024 set at $7,000 ($8,000 for those over 50), these accounts are accessible to most Americans for retirement planning.

Yet, despite their relative simplicity, there are plenty of pitfalls investors face when managing their IRAs. Whether it’s choosing the wrong type of IRA, mishandling withdrawals, or misjudging tax implications, these mistakes can lead to unnecessary costs and missed opportunities. Here are some of the most common errors and how to avoid them.

Avoid These Costly IRA Mistakes Before They Wreck Your Retirement

Did you find this article helpful? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment with the box on the left-hand side of the screen and share your thoughts.

Also, do you want to stay up-to-date on our latest content?

1. Follow us by clicking the [+ Follow] button above,

2. Give the article a Thumbs Up on the top-left side of the screen.

3. And lastly, if you think this information would benefit your friends and family, don’t hesitate to share it with them!