Eric Trump has made a surprising turn by publicly supporting the Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin. This comes after the Trump family initially distanced themselves from the token, portraying it as an unwanted offshoot. Recently, Eric announced a connection between the TRUMP token and WLFi, their broader cryptocurrency initiative. This change is significant, showing their serious commitment to crypto.
Trump’s Crypto Strategy
Donald Trump has long capitalized on his name for business ventures, but now, cryptocurrency might be his simplest and most profitable endeavor yet. The TRUMP token launched right before his second inauguration, initially skyrocketing to $75 before crashing. Despite the volatility, the Trump family made money from transaction fees, benefitting from a unique, less-regulated space in crypto.
Unlike traditional assets, cryptocurrencies can allow access to powerful figures without much scrutiny. After the TRUMP token’s value dipped, they hosted a promotion inviting top token holders to a gala at Trump National Golf Club. While not labeled as a campaign event, it provided entry based on token holdings, raising questions about who was buying access.
An investigation revealed that nearly half of the top token holders operated through exchanges that block U.S. users, hinting at foreign involvement. Notably, Justin Sun, a Chinese crypto entrepreneur facing fraud charges, was the biggest buyer, spending over $20 million on TRUMP tokens. His presence at the gala, combined with Trump’s administration pausing legal actions against him, raised eyebrows.
Shifting Perspectives on Crypto
Previously, Trump dismissed cryptocurrency as “based on thin air.” Now, it’s integral to his post-presidency profit scheme. Under his administration, the Justice Department is relaxing regulations, with Trump declaring, “There is a lot of sense in crypto.” This stark reversal contrasts sharply with the heavy penalties faced by figures like Sam Bankman-Fried, who received a lengthy sentence tied to fraud within the crypto space.
Breaking Norms and Profiting
Trump has never adhered to traditional ethical standards for presidents. He didn’t divest from his businesses during his first term, continuing to exploit his brand for profits, largely outside the scope of campaign finance rules. Since January, the memecoin and related crypto projects have netted his family over $350 million—all profits that remain largely anonymous.
WLFi at the Core
In September, the Trump family launched WLFi, now a key component of their financial strategy. After Trump’s election, Sun invested significantly in WLFi, hinting at lucrative potential moving forward. Most recently, Eric Trump and Zach Witkoff announced a $2 billion investment via a stablecoin, backed by the Abu Dhabi government.
Following their initial attempts to distance themselves from TRUMP, Eric’s recent embrace shows the high stakes involved. The profits are too substantial to ignore, signaling that the family is all in on this venture. The intertwining of their business interests and Trump’s presidency raises important questions about ethics, access, and the future of political funding in the age of cryptocurrency.
Recent trends show that more politicians are considering the potential of crypto for fundraising. As this landscape evolves, it remains crucial to examine how these ventures impact political integrity and majorities.
For a deeper dive into cryptocurrency regulations and trends, check out this report from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
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