AI image for representation only.
On January 19, 2025,
Melania Trump
introduced her own cryptocurrency, the
MELANIA meme coin
, to her 3.2 million followers on X (formerly Twitter). The launch led to a rapid surge in the token’s value, reaching a $4 billion market capitalization within 30 minutes, as reported by DEXScreener. This swift rise attracted nearly 20,000 investors within the first hour. The MELANIA token is described on its official website as a means to “support” and “engage” with Melania Trump, emphasizing that it is “not intended” as an investment.
The introduction of the MELANIA coin had an immediate impact on the TRUMP meme coin, launched by President Donald Trump just days earlier. The TRUMP coin, which had achieved a fully diluted market capitalization of $36 billion after a 19,000% surge in its first 24 hours, experienced a significant decline. Following Melania Trump’s announcement, the TRUMP coin’s market capitalization dropped by $5 billion, decreasing from $15 billion to $10 billion, according to CoinMarketCap data.
Meme coins represent a quirky and highly unpredictable segment of the cryptocurrency market. Often launched as jokes with no inherent value, their prices can skyrocket if enough buyers jump on board. One of the most famous examples is Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency featuring a lovable dog mascot that humorously exclaims phrases like “much wow.” However, the world of meme coins also attracts scammers seeking to exploit unsuspecting investors for quick financial gain.
Meanwhile, ethics watchdogs have raised concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest arising from these ventures. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington highlighted that President Trump’s business dealings could pose ethical challenges during his presidency. Additionally, blockchain analytics firm Bubblemaps revealed that 90% of the MELANIA token supply is held in a single wallet, prompting further scrutiny. The MELANIA token’s allocation includes 35% for team vesting, with the remainder distributed among treasury, community, public distribution, and liquidity. In contrast, 80% of the TRUMP token’s supply is reserved for entities linked to the Trump Organization, leaving only 20% available for public investors and liquidity.
(With inputs from agencies)
