The cryptocurrency industry, once a rebellious outsider, now finds itself under the gaze of a president who has both embraced and exploited its potential, leaving its future hanging in the balance.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s journey from a crypto skeptic to a self-proclaimed champion has set the stage for a new era in the digital asset space. His administration’s approach to cryptocurrency is poised to have a profound impact on the industry, shaping its regulatory landscape, fostering innovation, and influencing its adoption by mainstream institutions and individuals.

The question now is not just about what has happened, but what the future holds for crypto under his leadership.

Regulatory Landscape Under Trump: A Shift Towards Laissez-Faire?

One of the most significant changes expected under the Trump administration is a shift toward a more relaxed regulatory approach to cryptocurrency. Trump’s campaign promising to make the United States the “crypto capital of the planet” suggests a move away from the stricter regulations that characterized the previous administration.

This could lead to a more favorable environment for crypto companies, potentially attracting investment and fostering innovation. However, it also raises concerns over the potential for increased risk and market manipulation, requiring a careful balance between innovation and investor protection.

Campaign Promises, Crypto Donations, and the The Role of Crypto-Friendly Appointees

Trump’s embrace of crypto was not just rhetorical. He became the first presidential candidate to accept digital assets for campaign donations, utilizing Coinbase Commerce to facilitate these transactions. This move signaled a significant shift in the political landscape, with cryptocurrency becoming a legitimate form of campaign finance.

The crypto industry, in turn, responded with enthusiasm, with many “crypto honchos” and companies donating to his campaign, hoping to benefit from his promised regulatory reforms.

Trump’s appointment of crypto-friendly officials to key positions, such as the SEC, signals a significant shift in the direction of regulation. These appointees, with their understanding of the crypto industry, are likely to shape policies that are more favorable to digital assets.

This could lead to a more streamlined regulatory process and make it easier for crypto companies to operate in the United States. However, it also raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of the crypto industry on government policy.

As Anndy Lian, Intergovernmental Blockchain Expert, commented, “Trump’s decision to bring in crypto enthusiasts into the government has got everyone talking. I feel that it’s like a breath of fresh air for the crypto industry. We’re looking at potentially easier regulations, more innovation, and maybe even the U.S. becoming a hub for digital currencies. Imagine having officials who actually get blockchain and aren’t just there to clamp down on it.”

He added, “That could mean a boom for crypto startups and investors. But, let’s not jump for joy just yet. There’s a flip side that’s got people worried. We’re talking about the risk of too little regulation leading to scams, fraud, and all sorts of shady business. If the government goes too easy, we could see a Wild West scenario where only the wildest survive. Not to mention, if these officials are too cozy with the crypto bigwigs, we might just see a bit of crony capitalism.”

Lian then posed a critical question, immediately providing the solution, “So, how should the industry play this? Keep pushing for clear, sensible rules that protect investors without stifling innovation. Engage with these new faces in government, educate them on the real-world implications of their policies, and make sure the conversation includes voices from all corners of the crypto community, not just the big players.”

Lian further added, “$TRUMP’s triumph could mark a new ICO era in 2025.”

The Launch of $TRUMP: A Meme Coin Phenomenon?

Just days before his inauguration, the Trump family launched its own meme coin, $TRUMP. This move, while praised by some as a sign of crypto going mainstream, also sparked intense criticism and ethical questions.

Within just days, the $TRUMP token surged to become one of the most valuable forms of digital currency in the world, with a total trading value of nearly $13 billion and a total of $29 billion worth of trades. This created the potential for a multibillion-dollar payout to the Trump family, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.

The rapid rise of $TRUMP also raised concerns about market manipulation and insider trading. Within minutes of the coin’s launch, a crypto trader accumulated a $1 million position, which they quickly sold for $20 million, prompting speculation about insider knowledge.

Furthermore, it was revealed that the Trump team appeared to control another 800 million tokens, potentially worth as much as $51 billion, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the market.

“From a more professional take, $TRUMP memecoin fiasco, with all its ethical red flags and whispers of insider trading, has really put the spotlight on how the crypto world handles transparency and accountability. It’s clear we need to clean up our act,” said Lian, who is a renowned keynote speaker in the industry.

“First off, the industry should push for more robust regulatory frameworks that aren’t just there for show but actually enforce fair play. We’re talking about mandatory audits, especially for tokens linked to high-profile names, to ensure launch practices are above board. Transparency in token distribution is another big one; no more of this cloak-and-dagger stuff where only a select few get the heads-up before the public. Smart contracts should be open for anyone to scrutinize, and there should be clear, public records of token allocations,” he added.

“Also, platforms need to beef up their security and monitoring to catch any fishy business before it blows up. Community involvement is key too; let’s empower token holders with more decision-making power through governance models that are genuinely democratic. And finally, the industry should foster a culture where whistleblowing is celebrated, not feared, to keep everyone in check. If we don’t sort this out, we’re just inviting more skepticism and less mainstream adoption,” he further said.

The $MELANIA Coin and Market Volatility

Adding to the controversy, a second memecoin, $MELANIA, after the first lady, was launched just as President-elect Trump was about to start his inauguration rally. This move coincided with a sharp drop in the value of $TRUMP, highlighting the volatility and speculative nature of memecoins.

While the $MELANIA token quickly reached a market cap of $6 billion, concerns were raised about its distribution, with nearly 90% of the supply held in a single wallet.

Crypto Weighs In

“The market is losing its mind over the $TRUMP coin, and completely missing the plot,” said Jeff Dorman, CIO at Arca. “This is going to be incredibly long-term bullish for the industry… the President himself is both an issuer and an investor.”

However, not all in the industry were enthusiastic. “I don’t like it,” commented Bloomberg Intelligence Senior ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas, calling it “exploitative” and an “unforced error in the making.”

“Dropping TRUMP meme coin 2 days before becoming president is nasty work,” said CoffeZilla, a self-proclaimed internet detective. “New SEC/DOJ guarantees no prosecution… should be a crime but crime is legal now ig?”

Research wizard Ardizor highlighted the potential for insider trading, noting that “these wallets have made GENERATIONAL WEALTH in the past 24 hours. Over $400 million in profits.”

José Maria Macedo, Cofounder at Delphi Labs, said on X, “My read is that the insiders who helped launch $TRUMP didn’t realise how much it would pump and either didn’t buy enough or sold too early… In their greed they nuked $30b of value, transformed the optics into pure grift, and probably committed a bunch of crimes too.”

Adam Cochran added, “So the president elect’s crypto team extracted $500m+ from selling a memecoin on Solana and is now Sayloring it into ETH.”

“The whole $TRUMP and $MELANIA meme coin thing has really thrown the crypto world into a bit of a frenzy,” Lian told The Shib. “On one side, it’s kind of cool because it might get more people interested in crypto who normally wouldn’t give it a second look. The buzz around these coins could make crypto seem less like some tech jargon and more like something fun and accessible. But, let’s be real here, there’s a downside.”

The intergovernmental expert and book author noted, “A lot of folks are worried it’s just another pump-and-dump game, which doesn’t exactly scream ‘legit investment.’ It paints crypto in this light where it looks more like a gamble than a solid financial move.

He further said, “And if people start thinking that all crypto is just about wild speculation linked to big names, it could scare off the more cautious investors or those looking for something with a bit more stability. Plus, if these coins seem like nothing more than a celebrity exploiting their fame for quick bucks, it could make the whole crypto market look shady and unregulated, which might chill out the whole idea of crypto going mainstream.”

What Lies Ahead?

President Trump’s embrace of cryptocurrency has ushered in a new era for the industry, marked by both unprecedented opportunities and significant ethical concerns. The launch of the $TRUMP and $MELANIA meme coins has created a complex landscape, raising questions about market manipulation, insider trading, and the potential for harm to amateur traders.

As the Trump administration takes office, the crypto industry will be closely watching to see how these developments will shape the future of digital currencies in the United States. Some are expressing regret for campaigning for Trump, others expressed their desire to reinstate Gary Gensler in the SEC.

With all the chaos in the market over the weekend caused by these surprising token launches from Trump’s camp, the crypto industry raised the question: “what is the future of crypto under this new administration?” “Will the crypto industry achieve the ultimate reason behind the creation of cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin?”

 

Source: https://magazine.shib.io/article/679281f6cea2210001500ffa/category/articles-7-edition-63