President-elect Donald Trump launched his official meme coin, $TRUMP, on January 17, 2025.

The $TRUMP meme coin is based on the Solana blockchain. At launch, only 200 million tokens were issued, with plans to expand the total supply to 1 billion over the next three years. 

Notably, 80% of the token supply remains controlled by two companies: CIC Digital LLC and Fight Fight Fight LLC, according to BBC. These entities are affiliated with Trump’s organization, and it is still unclear how much revenue Trump will personally derive from the coin.

While the website claims that $TRUMP is "not political" and "has nothing to do with any political campaign," the token was introduced just days before Donald Trump’s inauguration. Critics argue that the coin might be seen as a way to capitalize on Trump’s political influence.

The $TRUMP Meme Coin's Purpose

According to the official website, the $TRUMP meme coin was created to symbolize support for Trump's return to the White House. The token is positioned as an expression of engagement with Trump’s ideals and beliefs. While some have raised questions about its legitimacy, both Trump and the official website back the coin as "The Official Trump Meme, by President Donald J. Trump."

The site highlights that the coin is designed to celebrate Trump’s leadership and serve as a symbol of unwavering determination: "This Trump Meme celebrates a leader who doesn't back down, no matter the odds."

The official website for $TRUMP includes a disclaimer that clarifies the token is "not intended to be, or the subject of, an investment opportunity or security of any type." 

However, independent crypto analyst Justin D'Anethan warns that the coin could pose regulatory challenges, particularly for high-profile individuals like Trump, who hold significant influence over speculative markets.

The launch of $TRUMP has attracted considerable attention due to its proximity to Trump’s upcoming inauguration and his promises to be a "crypto president." Many crypto advocates hope that a Trump administration will ease regulatory burdens on digital assets and promote broader crypto adoption. 

The token’s short-term success raises questions about the long-term impact of such projects on both the cryptocurrency market and the broader political landscape.

After its launch, $TRUMP saw a sharp price surge, climbing more than 300% by the morning of January 20. It briefly hit a peak of $75, causing its market cap to skyrocket to $15 billion. 

In Asian time on Monday morning, the coin settled at just over $56, maintaining a market cap of about $11.28 billion.