Let’s first look at two sets of shocking figures:
Over $1 Billion: According to an investigation by the Financial Times, the Trump family has earned more than $1 billion in pre-tax profits from its cryptocurrency business in the past year.
$870 Million in Bitcoin: Forbes exclusively revealed that Trump has become one of the largest Bitcoin investors in the United States, with a Bitcoin exposure of up to $870 million. Behind these two figures lies a meticulously constructed crypto empire encompassing digital trading cards, memecoins, stablecoins, tokens, and decentralized financial platforms. 02 Empire Map: Where Does Trump's Crypto Wealth Come From? Trump's crypto empire is complex, but its primary revenue comes from four main sectors: 1. Memecoins: TRUMP and MELANIA Coin. The memecoins named after him and his wife generated approximately $427 million in sales and transaction fees. These coins were used solely for speculation, yet they sparked a market frenzy. 2. Stablecoins and Governance Tokens: World Liberty Financial, co-founded by Trump's sons, generated $550 million from the sale of its WLFI governance token, while its USD1 stablecoin sales reached $2.71 billion. 3. Bitcoin Reserves: Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) pivoted to crypto in 2025, raising $2.3 billion. It used $2 billion of that capital to invest in Bitcoin, becoming one of the largest corporate BTC holdings in the United States. Trump's personal holdings are approximately $870 million.
4. NFT and digital trading cards
Trump also makes millions of dollars by selling digital trading cards that portray him as a superhero or riding a motorcycle.
Trump's road to encryption can be regarded as a classic plot of "from ridicule to belief":
- 2019: He publicly criticized Bitcoin on Twitter, "It is not a currency, it is just air." - 2021: He again called cryptocurrencies a "threat to the sovereignty of the US dollar." - On the eve of the 2024 election: He suddenly and loudly declared, "I support the United States becoming a global leader in cryptocurrency." This shift paved the way for Trump to become a crypto whale. Not only did he accept cryptocurrency donations, he also launched his own NFT collection and personally attended crypto conferences. 04 A sophisticated strategy: How did Trump "circumvent" his position? Trump didn't buy Bitcoin directly on-chain, but rather gradually through a multi-layered structure: 1. Holdings of publicly held companies: Purchasing Bitcoin through Trump Media & Technology Group, a company he controls, allows him to benefit from price increases while avoiding regulatory scrutiny related to direct personal holdings. 2. Allocations through affiliated companies: Purchasing large amounts of BTC and WBTC through entities like World Liberty Financial. 3. Campaign donation retention: Retaining a portion of received crypto donations as BTC/ETH, rather than converting them all into US dollars. 4. NFT Royalty Revenue: Royalties from Trump Digital Trading Cards flow directly into wallets controlled by him. This "roundabout investment" strategy allows Trump to maximize his exposure to crypto assets while remaining compliant with regulations. 05 Power and Wealth: An Unprecedented Integration of Politics and Business Trump's situation is unprecedented in modern American history: a sitting president who is also the beneficiary of a rapidly expanding crypto empire. Unlike most recent presidents, Trump did not place his assets in a blind trust. Instead, he managed them through a revocable trust, with himself as the sole beneficiary and free to access the funds at any time after leaving office. This arrangement has sparked ethical controversy. Richard Painter, the chief White House ethics counsel during the George W. Bush administration, noted: "Since the Civil War, every president has tried to avoid major conflicts between his official duties and his private finances."
What is more controversial is that Trump has implemented a series of cryptocurrency-friendly policies since taking office:
- Establishing a National Bitcoin Reserve program
- Appointing pro-cryptocurrency officials to lead major U.S. regulatory agencies
- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has ceased investigations into several large crypto companies
- Signing an order allowing Americans to invest part of their retirement savings in cryptocurrencies
While promoting the development of the industry, these policies also directly boosted the price of Bitcoin, causing Trump's own crypto assets to appreciate significantly.
Trump's transformation from crypto critic to crypto whale is not only a personal wealth story, but also has the potential to reshape the global cryptocurrency landscape:
1. Deep Ties Between Politics and Crypto: For the first time, the crypto industry is directly tied to the highest political power in the United States.
2. Changes in the Regulatory Environment: The United States may usher in the most crypto-friendly regulatory environment in history.
3. Increased Market Confidence: When even the president holds a large amount of Bitcoin, the psychological barriers of traditional institutional investors will be significantly lowered. Conclusion: A New Chapter of Power and Wealth The story of Trump's crypto empire is a modern allegory about power, wealth, and technology. From "Bitcoin is a scam" to "Bitcoin President," this is not only a personal transformation but also symbolizes the shift of cryptocurrency from the periphery to the center, even into the very core of American power. One ethics and legal expert put it particularly poignantly: "When the world's most influential politician holds $870 million in Bitcoin, it sends a strong signal—Bitcoin is no longer an enemy, but part of the new dollar system." Do you see a positive outlook for Trump's crypto empire? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
▌Disclaimer:
The content of this article only represents the author's views and does not promote or endorse any business or investment behavior. It is not intended as actual investment advice. Readers are advised to establish correct investment concepts and enhance risk awareness.
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