Introduction
The Trump family has generated over $1 billion in pre-tax profits from their cryptocurrency ventures during Donald Trump’s second term, according to a Financial Times investigation. Their crypto empire spans stablecoins, memecoins, and DeFi projects, creating both massive wealth and political controversy. The revelations have sparked ethical concerns and political backlash in Washington.
Key Points
- World Liberty Financial, with all three Trump sons as co-founders, has become the centerpiece of the family's crypto empire with plans to expand into DeFi lending
- The USD1 stablecoin has grown to become the fifth-largest stablecoin with a $2.68 billion market cap, generating $42 million in profits for the family
- President Trump disclosed $57.4 million in personal income from World Liberty Financial while his stake in Trump Media & Technology Group is valued at $1.9 billion
The Billion-Dollar Crypto Empire
An investigation by the Financial Times has revealed that President Donald Trump and his family have generated over $1 billion in pre-tax profits from their cryptocurrency ventures during his second term. Eric Trump confirmed the accuracy of these figures, suggesting the actual profits might be even higher. This extraordinary wealth accumulation represents a significant portion of President Trump’s estimated $7.1 billion net worth, as calculated by Forbes.
At the center of this financial windfall is World Liberty Financial, where Donald Trump and all three of his sons are listed as co-founders. The project has sold billions in tokens and stablecoins, with the family’s stake recently crossing $5 billion following a token unlock. President Trump personally disclosed $57.4 million in income from his involvement with World Liberty Financial, which has already launched the USD1 stablecoin and WLFI token while planning expansion into decentralized finance (DeFi) lending applications.
Memecoins and Stablecoin Profits
The Trump family’s cryptocurrency profits extend beyond their primary venture into the volatile world of memecoins. According to the Financial Times report, the TRUMP memecoin generated $362 million in profit, while the MELANIA memecoin netted $65 million. However, both tokens have experienced dramatic declines from their peaks, with TRUMP down over 90% from its all-time high and MELANIA performing even worse, down 99% from its peak valuation.
World Liberty Financial’s USD1 stablecoin has established itself as the fifth-largest stablecoin in the market with a $2.68 billion market capitalization, generating an additional $42 million in profits for the Trump family. The Financial Times estimates that the family has generated over $550 million from sales of the WLFI token this year alone, with significant investments coming from crypto billionaire Justin Sun and UAE-based crypto fund Aqua 1 Foundation.
Political Controversy and Ethical Concerns
The Trump family’s growing cryptocurrency ties have become a major point of contention in Washington. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren sharply criticized President Trump for hosting a dinner for top holders of the TRUMP memecoin, calling the event “an orgy of corruption.” The president’s crypto interests have also dominated discussions around the GENIUS Act, delaying its legislative approval.
Eric Trump’s candid admission about the family’s billion-dollar crypto profits has intensified the controversy. The crypto community reacted negatively to the revelation, with Mert Mumtaz, founder of Helius Labs, commenting on X: “Wiping out billions with a single angry tweet, making billions from crime. Thanks for playing, kiddo. Something tells me the other side will politicize crypto in the next election.” Many users expressed concerns about potential ethical conflicts given the family’s political position.
Beyond the immediate controversy, the Trump family’s crypto empire continues to expand. President Trump maintains a $1.9 billion personal stake in Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent entity of Truth Social and a Bitcoin treasury company. Additionally, the Peter Thiel-backed Erebor received preliminary regulatory approval to launch a bank serving crypto, AI, and tech startups, further extending the network of Trump-connected financial ventures.
📎 Related coverage from: co.uk