As of Monday (January 20), the United States has a new president, while the crypto world has a new crypto billionaire.
Kicker? They are the same person: Donald Trump.
As the United States prepares for President-elect Trump’s second inauguration on Monday, a new development is making headlines: the launch of two Trump-branded cryptocurrencies, $TRUMP and $MELANIA. While both symbols appear to lack intrinsic utility beyond their meme-currency nature, they have generated significant interest as a digital representation of the Trump brand. In promoting the coin, Trump told his supporters: “Enjoy!” The website selling the tokens said they were designed as an expression of support, not an investment opportunity.
Their collective market capitalization of over $10 billion has made the 47th President of the United States and the First Lady crypto billionaires. Both currencies are traded on the Solana blockchain.
The Trump family’s new cryptocurrencies have already drawn criticism from cryptocurrency executives who expected their sector to be taken more seriously under the new administration. For supporters, investing in these tokens represents an opportunity to align themselves with a political ideology. To detractors, the high value of the coins is a sign of speculative mania.
As Trump returns to the White House, there are three things the US cryptocurrency and financial sector will be watching: the regulatory body the new administration will appoint, and executive orders aimed at reducing crypto regulatory barriers and encouraging widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies. digital assets that Trump promised to issue; and the responsible integration of blockchain-based financial services and payments within traditional financial and commerce sectors.
Where politics and finance intersect
One of the direct effects of the new administration is the appointment of heads of regulatory bodies. from Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), these agencies play a critical role in determining how cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies are regulated. Trump’s picks for these positions will signal the administration’s priorities and determine the course of the industry.
As PYMNTS wrote, the need for clear regulatory frameworks remains one of the most pressing issues facing the cryptocurrency industry. During his previous term, the Trump administration took a mixed stance on cryptocurrencies. While some officials viewed Bitcoin and other digital assets as tools for illicit activity, others acknowledged their ability to drive innovation and economic growth.
This time, Trump promised a more positive approach. It was reported on Friday (January 17) that Trump plans to issue an executive order, shortly after taking office, that would designate cryptocurrency as a national priority, direct government agencies to work closely with the cryptocurrency industry, and create a cryptocurrency advisory council that will advocate for priorities. Industry policy.
While his agency appointments will be crucial in determining how that promise translates into action, the administration’s pro-crypto stance is already impacting the broader market, with bitcoin rising to record levels ahead of Trump’s inauguration.
Earlier, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse referred to the “Trump bull market” in a post on X, saying his company signed more deals in the six weeks following the election than it had in the previous six months.
“2025 is here, and the Trump bull market is real,” Garlinghouse wrote.
Trump plans to create an artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency czar, a new position he holds David Sacksa prominent regulatory skeptic, is a general partner at venture firm Craft Venture and co-founder of PayPal.
Unpacking the effects
Perhaps the most important challenge for management is the responsible integration of blockchain-based financial services within the traditional financial system. While cryptocurrencies offer numerous benefits — including faster transactions, lower fees, and increased financial inclusion — their adoption has raised concerns about stability, security, and compliance.
A crypto-friendly agenda is not without risks. Easing regulations could open the door to fraud and market manipulation, issues that have plagued the industry. However, for crypto enthusiasts, Trump’s policies represent a much-needed tailwind in a sector often hobbled by regulatory uncertainty.
Last week, PYMNTS wrote about the rise of stablecoins as a way for banks to provide customers with the cryptocurrency and fintech innovations they desire.
“It’s not about replacing existing systems. It’s about providing additional choice,” FV Bank CEO Miles Pacini PYMNTS said. “When stablecoins offer superior benefits, customers will naturally gravitate to them.”
For the digital and financial industries, the next four years will be a period full of challenges and opportunities. As the administration’s policies take shape, the world will watch whether Trump delivers on his promises, and whether the United States is able to seize the opportunity to lead the blockchain revolution.