Just before her husband’s inauguration as U.S. President, Melania Trump launched her own cryptocurrency, $MELANIA, adding a new layer to the growing trend of political figures embracing digital assets. This follows the debut of Donald Trump’s own cryptocurrency, $TRUMP, which has experienced both volatility and significant gains.
Announcement and Key Details
On Sunday, Melania took to social platform X to announce the launch of $MELANIA: “The Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $MELANIA now.” The cryptocurrency, described on its website as an asset powered by the Solana blockchain, is available for purchase by the public. Both $TRUMP and $MELANIA websites carry disclaimers, clarifying that the coins are not investment opportunities or securities.
According to CoinMarketCap, $TRUMP boasts a market valuation of around $12 billion, while $MELANIA’s market value is reported at $1.7 billion, signaling notable interest in the token despite its volatility.
Cryptocurrency’s Growing Role in Politics
Although Donald Trump previously referred to cryptocurrency as a “scam,” his 2024 election campaign saw a major shift in stance. He welcomed digital assets, suggesting the creation of a Bitcoin reserve and promising to appoint regulators favorable to crypto. These policies fueled optimism in the crypto market, as Bitcoin soared to unprecedented heights, reaching around $107,000 per Coinbase post-election.
In Washington, D.C., David Sacks, a leader in AI and crypto, hosted a “Crypto Ball,” underscoring the increasing integration of cryptocurrencies in political and financial sectors. Other popular cryptocurrencies, such as dogecoin—backed by Trump supporter Elon Musk—also experienced significant gains this year.
Meanwhile, under President Joe Biden’s administration, crypto regulations have tightened. The U.S. government has increased oversight on the crypto industry, particularly targeting concerns regarding fraud and money laundering.