Melania Trump Launches Cryptocurrency Ahead of Inauguration Day

Melania Trump Launches Cryptocurrency Ahead of Inauguration Day

On the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the next U.S. president, incoming First Lady Melania Trump has announced the launch of her own cryptocurrency, $MELANIA.

The news follows the recent debut of the $Trump cryptocurrency, introduced by President-elect Donald Trump. Both tokens have experienced significant interest, with trading marked by notable volatility.

In a post on the social platform X, Melania Trump shared, “The Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $MELANIA now.”

The official website for the $MELANIA token describes it as a digital asset built and maintained on the Solana blockchain.

Notably, disclaimers on the official sites for both $Trump and $MELANIA emphasize that these tokens are “not intended to be, or the subject of,” securities or traditional investment vehicles.

Rising Market Interest

According to CoinMarketCap, $Trump has garnered a market valuation of approximately $12 billion (£9.8 billion), while $MELANIA’s market cap sits at an estimated $1.7 billion.

Despite previously dismissing cryptocurrencies as a “scam,” Donald Trump reversed course during his 2024 presidential campaign by embracing digital assets. He became the first candidate to accept cryptocurrency donations and outlined plans to establish a strategic bitcoin reserve. Trump also pledged to appoint regulators more favorable to the crypto industry, fueling speculation about potential deregulation under his leadership.

Market Reactions

Following Trump’s election victory, bitcoin surged to an all-time high, currently trading at around $107,000, according to the Coinbase trading platform. Other cryptocurrencies, including dogecoin — often promoted by Trump ally Elon Musk — have also seen significant gains this year.

In celebration of the growing influence of digital assets, incoming AI and crypto advisor David Sacks hosted a “Crypto Ball” in Washington, D.C., on Friday.

Under the previous Biden administration, regulatory bodies cracked down on crypto platforms, citing concerns over fraud and money laundering. However, the crypto community is optimistic that Trump’s tenure will bring a more supportive regulatory environment.

As the new administration prepares to take office, all eyes are on the evolving relationship between Washington and the burgeoning crypto industry.