As Donald Trump takes office as U.S. president on Monday, his meme coin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) plummeted in value, while Melania Trump's (CRYPTO: MELANIA) surged by nearly 40% within 24 hours, igniting discussions about the growing power of crypto, and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43062997/exclusive-how-donald-trumps-crypto-plans-will-bitcoin-xrp-solana">potential for wider adoption.</a>



What Happened: According to data from CoinGecko, MELANIA experienced a dramatic increase in value, surging nearly 40% within 24 hours.



The token&#8217;s price peaked at just over $13, before settling around $8.74 at last check on Monday. MELANIA also saw a massive leap in 24-hour trading volume, jumping from $1.33 billion on Jan. 19 to $7.6 billion on Jan. 20. 



With these gains, the market capitalization reached $1.54 billion, placing it among the top 100 crypto assets.



In contrast, the Official Trump meme coin saw a decline in value. At last check on Monday, the token hovered at around $52, down 11.4%. The all-time high is $72.42. 



However, this dip did not deter traders. Trading volume exceeded $47 billion on the same day. It&#8217;s now placed among the top 20 crypto assets by market capitalization, with a valuation of roughly $10 billion.



These movements have prompted a variety of expert analyses. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43082005/market-to-seek-further-information-on-utilization-of-80-trump-token-supply-says-bernstein">Market Seeks Further Information On Utilization Of 80% TRUMP Token Supply: Report</a>



QCP Capital stated that on the "global reach and speed at which TRUMP surged." It&#8217;s a sign of a "paradigm shift in capital formation" and evidence that crypto is increasingly mainstream, the firm noted.



They also speculated that the Solana blockchain might be viewed more favorably by regulators following Trump&#8217;s launch of his memecoin on the platform. The launch could expedite the approval of a Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) exchange-traded fund, or ETF.



QCP Capital further posited that such launches are likely to attract significant retail inflows, and that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) appeared poised to break higher based on funding rates on Deribit. 



The firm suggests the launch of the TRUMP token is viewed by both retail investors and institutions as evidence of a pro-crypto stance by the new President.



Presto Research offered another perspective, stating that Trump is "serious about crypto," viewing the launch as "an attack on Wall Street's monopoly by legitimizing online capital formation." 



They emphasized the need for traditional finance to embrace blockchain technology, or face potential marginalization. 



Solana is experiencing a similar "2017 Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) moment,&#8221; the experts said.



They likened the hype surrounding the token to the ICO craze of 2017. Like Ethereum, the TRUMP launch has cemented Solana's status as a serious contender in the blockchain space.



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Image: Shutterstock

Melania Rises, Official Trump Falls: Experts Say Meme Coins Signal 'Paradigm Shift' And Potential Blow To TradFi

XRP's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) price has increased 6.21% over the past 24 hours to $3.33. Over the past week, XRP has experienced an uptick of over 36.0%, moving from $2.43 to its current price. As it stands right now, the coin's all-time high is $3.40. 
The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for XRP over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737385305_0.png" alt="price_chart" />

The trading volume for the coin has increased 133.0% over the past week. while the overall circulating supply of the coin has decreased 0.42% This puts its current circulating supply at an estimated 57.56% of its max supply, which is 100.00 billion. The current market cap ranking for XRP is #3 at $191.39 billion.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737385305_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" />

<a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/api">Powered by CoinGecko API</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

XRP's Price Increased More Than 6% Within 24 hours

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETF market is never dull</a>, and 2025 promises to be no exception. 



In a podcast discussion on Bloomberg, The ETF Store, Inc. President Nate Geraci, along with Bloomberg&#8217;s Eric Balchunas and Vilna Hyek shared their thoughts on what lies ahead. Here's a look at the predictions shaping the conversation.



First up: A fee war. Geraci believes we're about to see some serious competition among the biggest S&amp;P 500 ETFs. Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) and iShares Core S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>) are duking it out to become the market favorite. 



With fees already thin at 0.02% and 0.03% respectively, any further cuts could make headlines. "It's about capturing that top spot," said Geraci. Vanguard has a history of passing cost savings to investors as funds grow. It's a win for consumers, but it could squeeze margins for providers.



Also See: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/01/43001690/exclusive-crypto-commodities-take-center-stage-volatility-2025-direxion-ceo">EXCLUSIVE: Direxion CEO Predicts Crypto, Commodities Will Take Center Stage Amid Volatility In 2025</a>



Coming to the second prediction, Geraci is optimistic that 2025 will bring a wave of approvals for spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, along with some altcoin-focused funds. Why now? The regulatory environment looks set to become more crypto-friendly, especially with potential leadership changes at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 



If Geraci is right, expect a flood of new options for investors looking to ride the crypto wave through ETFs.



Not every innovation, however, is a perfect fit for ETFs. Take private credit ETFs, for instance. While they sound intriguing, Geraci is skeptical. The biggest issue? Private credit is illiquid, and ETFs promise daily liquidity. Throw in potential conflicts of interest — like fund managers acting as both liquidity providers and valuation sources — and it's a recipe for disaster. "The structure just doesn't match the asset," he warned.



Tax efficiency is another trend that's gaining traction. Among those gaining popularity are structures like 351 exchanges, which let investors contribute stocks whose prices have appreciated, to an ETF, without triggering capital gains taxes. These setups aren't just about saving money — they also make ETFs a smarter tool for long-term planning.



Of course, the conversation wouldn't be complete without a word of caution. Leveraged single-stock ETFs have been grabbing attention, but they carry significant risks. Geraci is blunt about it: "It's only a matter of time before one of these implodes." Leveraged ETFs built around sensitive stocks are one sharp dip away from falling off the cliff.



So, what does all this mean for 2025? It's clear that the ETF market is evolving rapidly, with innovation and competition driving the next phase of growth. But as always, investors should keep an eye on the risks. As Geraci put it, "These aren't just investment calls — they're predictions about the forces reshaping the ETF industry." 



Here's hoping 2025 lives up to the hype.



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Photo: Shutterstock

ETFs In 2025: Fee Wars, Crypto Booms, And The Risks Ahead

A new report from Bernstein says that the cryptocurrency market will closely examine the utilization of 80% of the Official Trump (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) token supply held by Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43080060/donald-trump-and-melania-memecoins-combined-market-value-is-now-higher-than-that-of-warren-buffetts-hot-pick">insiders in the coming days.</a>



The TRUMP token, launched unexpectedly on the Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) blockchain, reached a fully diluted market cap of approximately $73 billion. It traded over $30 billion in a day within 48 hours, surpassing Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) as one of the largest meme coins in the market, before experiencing a drawdown of about 50% from its highs.



The token&#8217;s launch was facilitated by CIC Digital, an entity associated with the Trump campaign, which had previously launched branded NFTs and merchandise. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43065531/coinbase-launches-bitcoin-backed-loans-for-us-users">Coinbase Launches Bitcoin-Backed Loans For US Users</a>



While the industry has viewed the token launch by the &#8220;strongest political figure&#8221; as a sign that the US is more open to digital assets and that regulatory risk might be lessened, the Bernstein report shifts the focus to the token distribution structure.



The report points out that 80% of the token&#8217;s supply is held by wallets associated with CIC Digital, raising concerns that these insiders might distribute this large supply, leading to losses for other investors and creating pressure on the token&#8217;s market value.



&#8220;The team could use TRUMP coin as collateral to build something useful in crypto banking &amp; finance or build an engagement model to reward supporters/holders. Or it could use it as a treasury asset to fund more Trump-related political initiatives,&#8221; the report stated.



Given how blockchain-based market-making works, the team is already earning strong revenue from supplying liquidity to trading pools. Given how fast the token reached a stratospheric market value, the 80% supply held by insiders does create some pressure on its market value,&#8221; it further said.



The report also touches upon the regulatory environment. It suggests that the launch of a token by a major political figure signifies a new era where governments may view crypto as a tool to reach out to the masses.



Despite this potential shift, the report cautions that the current regulatory regime in the U.S. has been about cracking down on crypto builders and enforcement actions on token-related activities. 



The president's token launch therefore signals a new era and may lead to new regulations.



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Image: Shutterstock

Market Seeks Further Information On Utilization Of 80% TRUMP Token Supply: Report

The official meme coins launched by President-elect Donald Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump have accumulated tens of billions in combined market valuation over the weekend, evoking both awe and concerns from the cryptocurrency community.



What happened: The two Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)-based coins, namely OFFICIAL TRUMP and MELANIA, have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43078040/trump-coin-tanks-36-even-as-melania-trump-launches-her-own-token-top-analyst-says-his-short-is-going-very-very-well">sparked an unprecedented frenzy</a>, running up to valuations that established corporations took years to build.



At the current price of $58.33, Trump's official coin had a fully diluted valuation of&nbsp; $58.34 billion, <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/">according </a>to CoinMarketCap. Similarly, MELANIA memecoin was worth $12.73 billion.&nbsp;



Note that a fully diluted valuation is an asset's market value if the maximum supply is in circulation.



The combined market value of the two meme coins was $71.07 billion. To put things in perspective, it was higher than oil-producing company Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>), which had a market value of $49.38 billion at the time of writing.



It's worth noting that the energy stock has been on the radar of veteran Wall Street investor Warren Buffett. Through a series of purchases. Buffett's firm Berkshire Hathaway has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/42970418/why-warren-buffett-is-keeping-25-of-berkshires-assets-in-cash">accumulated a stake of up to 29%</a> in Occidental.&nbsp;



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078360/peter-schiff-gets-sarcastic-wonders-whether-biden-will-sell-some-bitcoin-on-last-day-of-presidency">Peter Schiff Says &#8216;Last Night&#8217; For Biden To Sell Some Bitcoin Before Trump Takes Over: &#8216;Let&#8217;s See If He Takes Advantage Of The Opportunity&#8217;</a>



The combined market value of the Trump meme coins also surpassed some other companies in which Buffett expressed interest lately.



VeriSign Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRSN#NASDAQ">VRSN</a>), whose approximately 377,736 shares were scooped up by the conglomerate, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/01/42755180/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-makes-bold-74-million-bet-on-this-forgotten-darling-of-dotcom-boom">had a market valuation</a> of little over $20 billion as of this writing, a fraction of the Trump meme coins.



Why It Matters: The weekend meme coin frenzy comes just ahead of the presidential inauguration of Trump, who was<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report"> speculated to pass several cryptocurrency-friendly</a> executive orders on Day 1 of his tenure.



The official meme coins attracted profit-hungry traders, who found the cryptocurrencies legitimate and associated with the first family of the U.S. However, the disclaimers of the two projects clearly state no connection with any political campaign, political office, or governmental agency.



Anthony Scaramucci, a prominent cryptocurrency advocate and former White House Communications Director, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076714/scaramucci-criticizes-donald-trumps-meme-coin-launch-idi-amin-level-corruption">labeled the launch</a> as &#8220;Idi Amin-level corruption.&#8221;



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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Donald Trump And Melania Memecoins' Combined Market Value Is Now Higher Than That Of Warren Buffett's Hot Pick

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) tapped a new record high of $109,000 past Sunday midnight ahead of Donald Trump&#8217;s presidential inauguration



What happened: The world&#8217;s largest cryptocurrency briefly touched $109,000, bettering its previous record at $108,135. However, the coin couldn&#8217;t sustain its rally and retraced to the $107,000 zone as of this writing.



The spike spurred a broader market rally, causing large-cap cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) and XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) to trade in the green.



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>



Why It Matters: The record-breaking surge comes hours ahead of the presidential inauguration of Trump, who championed the industry's cause during his election campaign.



The market has been brimming with optimism, as reports have indicated that the president-elect would&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43047039/trump-planning-to-declare-cryptocurrency-as-national-priority-increase-engagement-with-industry-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announce several measures</a>&nbsp;to help the digital asset industry expand, including declaring cryptocurrency a national priority.



The rally also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078226/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-plunge-as-trumps-official-memecoin-loses-way-analyst-underlines-importance-of-btcs-weekly-close-above-this-resistance-level">reversed losses incurred Sunday evening</a> following the dramatic dump of Trump&#8217;s official meme coin, OFFICIAL TRUMP.



Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $107,955.61, up 3.25% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.



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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Bitcoin Hits Record $109,000 Ahead Of Trump's Inauguration, Sparks Market Rally

President-elect Donald Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump triggered a meme coin frenzy over the weekend, surprising the cryptocurrency industry and leaving many to wonder about their motives.&nbsp;



What happened: The launch of the OFFICIAL TRUMP token created a stir in the market, as the coin's fully diluted valuation reached a whopping $74 billion at one time, <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/official-trump/">according </a>to CoinMarketCap.



The project's official website stated that CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of The Trump Organization, and a related entity, Fight Fight Fight LLC, own <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43078040/trump-coin-tanks-36-even-as-melania-trump-launches-her-own-token-top-analyst-says-his-short-is-going-very-very-well">an 80% share</a> of the digital asset.&nbsp;



At the current price of $53.69, that coin was worth $53.74 billion, meaning that Trump's stake could be about $43 billion.&nbsp;



With a reported portfolio already worth $9.16 billion, <a href="https://intel.arkm.com/explorer/entity/donald-trump?s=09">according </a>to on-chain analytics firm Arkham, Trump&#8217;s cryptocurrency wealth might have exceeded $52 billion upon the official meme coin debut.



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>



Even as the market was coming to terms with the OFFICIAL TRUMP mania, soon-to-be First Lady Melania Trump launched her own meme coin, called MELANIA, on Sunday. Like her husband's offering, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43078040/trump-coin-tanks-36-even-as-melania-trump-launches-her-own-token-top-analyst-says-his-short-is-going-very-very-well">Melania's cryptocurrency</a> was launched on the Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) blockchain.



According to the coin's tokenomics, 35% of the total supply was reserved for Melania's team, with an initial lock period of 30 days.&nbsp;



MELANIA's fully diluted valuation—the market value if the maximum supply was in circulation—was <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/melania-meme/">worth </a>$11.14 billion. So, at a 35% stake, Melania Trump's fortune was worth $3.89 billion.



Why It Matters: The launch of meme coins by the Trumps comes just ahead of the days ahead of the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who championed the cryptocurrency industry's cause during his election campaign.



The president-elect was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report">expected to issue cryptocurrency-friendly executive orders</a>, including the creation of a strategic Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) reserve.



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Donald, Melania Crypto Launch Is Worth Billions, Here's How Much The First Couple's Namesake Coins Have Generated

The Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) blockchain experienced significant network congestion on Monday as enthusiasm around President-elect Donald Trump-themed meme tokens triggered unprecedented transaction volumes, leading to technical difficulties for key infrastructure provider Jito Labs.



What Happened: Jito Labs reported &#8220;severe degradation&#8221; of its Block Engine API due to &#8220;unprecedented load levels,&#8221; though the company later confirmed service stability had improved following emergency mitigation efforts. While the Solana network continued processing blocks, transaction submission through Jito&#8217;s service was temporarily impacted.



Solana&#8217;s official X account retweeted a post from Jito Labs.



The congestion coincided with the launch of the MELANIA token on Solana by Melania Trump, which surged <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43078040/trump-coin-tanks-36-even-as-melania-trump-launches-her-own-token-top-analyst-says-his-short-is-going-very-very-well">over 21,000% within 24 hours</a> to reach an $11.39 billion market capitalization. This followed the recent launch of the OFFICIAL TRUMP token, which experienced a 36% price drop from $73 to $46 on Sunday evening, erasing approximately $5 billion in market value.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Update: Service stability has improved following our recent mitigation efforts. Huge shoutout to the Jito Labs engineering team who worked tirelessly testing multiple solutions until we achieved service stability. While we remain vigilant and are closely monitoring… <a href="https://t.co/TRKr4E8y0P">https://t.co/TRKr4E8y0P</a>&mdash; buffalu (@buffalu__) <a href="https://twitter.com/buffalu__/status/1881157819061195143?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The market turbulence extended beyond meme tokens, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078226/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-plunge-as-trumps-official-memecoin-loses-way-analyst-underlines-importance-of-btcs-weekly-close-above-this-resistance-level">impacting major cryptocurrencies</a>. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) dropped from $106,180 to $99,622, while Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) fell from $3,414 to $3,150. However, both cryptocurrencies have since recovered, with BTC reaching $108,560 and ETH climbing to $3,423.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43078027/vivek-ramaswamy-expected-to-exit-trumps-doge-task-force-amid-ohio-governor-bid-report">Elon Musk&#8217;s DOGE Co-Lead Vivek Ramaswamy Expected To Exit Trump Admin Task Force Amid Ohio Governorship Bid</a>



Why It Matters: Cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez revealed a successful short position on the OFFICIAL TRUMP token, while trader Altcoin Gordon disclosed opening a $500,000 short position with a $90 liquidation price, targeting $55 for a potential $2.7 million profit.



The events highlight the growing impact of political meme tokens on blockchain infrastructure and market stability. Reports indicate that CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of the Trump Organization, and Fight Fight Fight LLC collectively own 80% of the OFFICIAL TRUMP token supply.



The timing of these market movements is particularly notable as they occur during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, with traditional U.S. stock exchanges closed and Trump preparing for his presidential inauguration scheduled for Monday.



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Image Via Shutterstock 



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Solana Blockchain Faces Network Congestion As Trump And Melania Meme Tokens Surge: What You Need To Know

MicroStrategy Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) co-founder and executive chairman Michael Saylor met the entire incoming cabinet&nbsp;of the incoming Donald Trump administration during the first-ever &#8220;Crypto Ball&#8221; on Friday.



What Happened: An X post shared by Robert Samuels, Vice President of Investor Relations at MARA Holdings, showed Saylor, clad in a black suit and orange tie, attending the event alongside other top cryptocurrency executives like Fred Thiel, MARA Holdings CEO.



The orange tie seemed to align with Saylor&#8217;s Bitcoin personality, which he frequently flaunts on social media. The post has been reshared by the MicroStrategy boss.



Some other pictures showed Vice President-elect&nbsp;J.D. Vance with incoming second lady Usha Vance.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/MARAHoldings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MARAHoldings</a> CEO, <a href="https://twitter.com/fgthiel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fgthiel</a>, was honored to be seated with the incoming Secretary of Defense at the Vice President's reception and dinner. Our team in partnership with <a href="https://twitter.com/saylor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@saylor</a> met with the entire incoming cabinet of the Trump Administration.  We are excited about the future of… <a href="https://t.co/GltAbSLVys">pic.twitter.com/GltAbSLVys</a>&mdash; Robert Samuels (@RobSamuelsIR) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobSamuelsIR/status/1881022798052589740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The pre-inaugural bash was attended by the elite of the cryptocurrency space, days ahead of the presidential inauguration of Trump, who championed the industry&#8217;s cause during his election campaign.



Trump, who did not attend the gala, was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report">expected to issue executive orders </a>to build a more favorable environment for the cryptocurrency industry.



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>



Why It Matters: MicroStrategy has been aggressively issuing convertible debt and other fixed-income securities to buy Bitcoin in recent months and appears prepared to employ all corporate maneuvers to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42665877/microstrategy-to-hold-special-shareholder-vote-to-support-the-42-billion-bitcoin-acquisition-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bolster its 21/21 plan</a>.



As of this writing, MicroStrategy was the biggest corporate holder with more than $45 billion in Bitcoin, followed by MARA with $4.57 billion of the leading digital asset, <a href="https://bitcointreasuries.net/">according </a>to BitcoinTreasuries.com.



The Michael Saylor-led firm has been buying Bitcoins for ten weeks in a row, and based on his most recent X post, MicroStrategy seems to be planning to buy more on Monday, coinciding with Trump&#8217;s inauguration. 



&#8220;Things will be different tomorrow,&#8221; Saylor wrote, including the firm&#8217;s Bitcoin portfolio tracker.



Interestingly, Saylor made <a href="https://x.com/saylor/status/1878427303874633866">similar posts</a> of the tracker just before the company&#8217;s Bitcoin purchases in the last two weeks.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Things will be different tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/8Rmn1Jjgdr">pic.twitter.com/8Rmn1Jjgdr</a>&mdash; Michael Saylor&#x26a1;&#xFE0F; (@saylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/saylor/status/1880981385823105405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $101,632.05, down 3.18% in the last 24 hours, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.



Shares of MicroStrategy rallied 8.04% to $396.50 during Friday&#8217;s regular session.



Read Next:&nbsp;



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993521/michael-saylors-microstrategy-not-alone-in-bitcoin-acquisition-says-bitwise-chief-investment-officer-its-a-bona-fide-megatrend">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Not Alone In Bitcoin Acquisition, Says</a></li>
</ul>

Michael Saylor Meets Trump's Cabinet At Crypto Ball, What Does The Bitcoin Bull's Cryptic Post Indicate?

In a humorous dig at the debate over a strategic Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) reserve, influential economist Peter Schiff speculated on Sunday whether President Joe Biden will sell some of the state-owned BTC just ahead of Donald Trump&#8217;s presidential inauguration.



What Happened: Schiff took to X, saying, &#8220;This is the last night&nbsp;Biden has to sell some&nbsp;of the Bitcoin that Donald&nbsp;Trump promised his crypto supporters&nbsp;he would use to create&nbsp;a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve. Let&#8217;s&nbsp;see if he takes advantage&nbsp;of the opportunity.&#8221;



This sarcastic post comes in the context of President-elect Trump&#8217;s reported plans to declare cryptocurrency a national priority and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43047039/trump-planning-to-declare-cryptocurrency-as-national-priority-increase-engagement-with-industry-report">create a national Bitcoin reserve</a> that would include the government's current Bitcoin holdings. 



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">This is the last night <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Biden?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Biden</a> has to sell some of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> that <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> promised his <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/crypto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#crypto</a> supporters he would use to create a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve. Let&#39;s see if he takes advantage of the opportunity.&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1881126813172400637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The pledge to create a national Bitcoin stockpile was one of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/08/40179714/trumps-bitcoin-stockpile-plan-would-have-positive-impact-on-crypto-prices-but-would-leave-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s biggest election promises</a>&nbsp;to gain support from cryptocurrency enthusiasts. It&#8217;s not yet clear whether the incoming administration will buy additional Bitcoin or simply declare the current stash the U.S. government holds as a strategic reserve.



The U.S. government holds around 198,109 BTC, valued at $20.14 billion, <a href="https://intel.arkm.com/explorer/entity/usg">according </a>to on-chain analytics firm Arkham.



A report earlier this month suggested that the Justice Department got a green light to sell about 69,370 BTCs. However, on-chain data as of this writing <a href="https://intel.arkm.com/explorer/address/bc1qa5wkgaew2dkv56kfvj49j0av5nml45x9ek9hz6">revealed </a>that the holdings were intact.



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>



Why It Matters: Schiff&#8217;s cheeky remark reflected his skepticism toward a national Bitcoin reserve. He previously stated that a Bitcoin reserve could be the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42245202/peter-schiff-bitcoin-reserve-is-the-worst-monetary-mistake-us-could-make"> &#8216;worst monetary mistake&#8217;</a> the U.S. could make.



Furthermore, he highlighted the lack of congressional support for the Bitcoin reserve bill, stating that apart from Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who introduced the bill, and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), the bill has failed to garner any co-sponsors or significant attention among lawmakers.



Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $101,602.76, down 2.99% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. 



Image via Flickr/ Gage Skidmore<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993521/michael-saylors-microstrategy-not-alone-in-bitcoin-acquisition-says-bitwise-chief-investment-officer-its-a-bona-fide-megatrend">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Not Alone In Bitcoin Acquisition, Says Bitwise Chief Investment Officer: &#8216;It&#8217;s A Bona Fide Megatrend&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

Peter Schiff Says 'Last Night' For Biden To Sell Some Bitcoin Before Trump Takes Over: 'Let's See If He Takes Advantage Of The Opportunity'

Leading cryptocurrencies fell sharply Sunday evening amid the launch of meme coins tied to President-elect Donald Trump and his family.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>-3.89%</td><td>$100,239.24</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>-4.61%</td><td>$3,189.30</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>-12.44%</td><td>$0.3505</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What Happened: Bitcoin plummeted from $106,180 to $99,622 in three hours, eroding $130 billion worth of investors' wealth.



Similarly, Ethereum tanked from $3,414 to $3,150, marking a 4.61% decline in the last 24 hours.



The broader market slump coincided with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43078040/trump-coin-tanks-36-even-as-melania-trump-launches-her-own-token-top-analyst-says-his-short-is-going-very-very-well">significant drop</a> in the OFFICIAL TRUMP token launched a couple of days ago.&nbsp;



The enthusiasm linked with the coin evolved into negativity as incoming First Lady Melania Trump launched her own meme coin on Sunday.



Over $1 billion was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with long liquidations accounting for $925 million.



Bitcoin's Open Interest fell 2.05% in the last 24 hours to $66.77 billion. That said, the majority of derivatives traders were bullish on the asset, as indicated by the Long/Short Ratio.



That said, more than half of derivatives traders on Binance placed short bets on Bitcoin, expecting a correction.



The market sentiment entered the "Extreme Greed" zone, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index, sparking concerns of further market correction.



Top Gainers (24-Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>OFFICIAL TRUMP (TRUMP)</td><td>+74.00%</td><td>$46.06</td></tr><tr><td>Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)</td><td>+9.95%</td><td>$1.92</td></tr><tr><td>DeXe (DEXE)</td><td>+2.10%</td><td>$17.55</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.45 trillion, contracting by 5.15% in the last 24 hours.



Stock futures edged slightly lower Sunday evening. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures fell 30 points, or 0.07%, as of 9 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 dipped 0.07%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures slipped 0.13%.



The moves come after major averages posted their biggest weekly gain since the presidential elections in November. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&amp;P 500 rose 3.19% and 3.40%, respectively.



The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will remain closed on Monday to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.



See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>



Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst Rekt Capital identified $104,500 as a crucial resistance level for Bitcoin.



"Weekly close above red [$104,500] followed by a successful retest would likely confirm the breakout to new ATHs," the analyst stated, adding a caveat.



"However, a weekly close below red and it&#8217;s possible BTC could pullback again, however likely for a shallower retrace compared to the one of mid-December 2024."



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> Bitcoin is trying to assert itself relative to this final major Weekly resistance before new All Time Highs Weekly Close above red followed by a successful retest would likely confirm the breakout to new ATHs However, a Weekly Close below red and it&#39;s possible BTC could… <a href="https://t.co/WTKEEpziNt">pic.twitter.com/WTKEEpziNt</a>&mdash; Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/rektcapital/status/1881009268293251171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Meanwhile, Michaël van de Poppe, another popular cryptocurrency market commentator, maintained his bullish view on altcoins.



"I expect that we&#8217;ll see strength on Ethereum, Chainlink, Aave, and a lot of altcoins in the coming week as yields are going down and the DXY becomes weaker," he added. "Great times are ahead of us."



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">A tremendous weekend with <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TRUMP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TRUMP</a> and a cascade on the altcoins. I expect that we&#39;ll see strength on <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24LINK&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$LINK</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24AAVE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$AAVE</a> and a lot of altcoins in the coming week as Yields are going down and the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24DXY&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$DXY</a> becomes weaker. Great times are ahead of us.&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1881090758167474264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Photo by CMP_NZ on Shutterstock



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43035888/donald-trump-reportedly-open-to-us-crypto-reserve-as-bitcoin-reserve-chatter-gathers-steam">Donald Trump Reportedly Open To US Crypto Reserve As Bitcoin Reserve Chatter Gathers Steam</a></li>
</ul>

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Plunge As Official Trump Memecoin Loses Way: Analyst Says 'Great Times Are Ahead' For These Coins As Dollar Index Weakens

President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s official meme coin plunged sharply Sunday evening, coinciding with the launch of another token launched by Melania Trump. 



What happened: The OFFICIAL TRUMP token crashed nearly 36% from $73 to $46 late Sunday evening, wiping out nearly $5 billion worth of market capitalization, <a href="https://dexscreener.com/solana/9dirurpjnanzhn6ts5hglouhtjrt1jgspbxnycrfz2ad">according </a>to data from DEX Screener. The dump followed the launch of a similar token by the incoming first lady, Melania Trump.



Melania Trump shared a link to the official website of the meme coin MELANIA in her X post, with a caption, "The Official Melania Meme is live!" Donald Trump has reshared the post.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $MELANIA now.  <a href="https://t.co/8FXvlMBhVf">https://t.co/8FXvlMBhVf</a> FUAfBo2jgks6gB4Z4LfZkqSZgzNucisEHqnNebaRxM1P <a href="https://t.co/t2vYiahRn6">pic.twitter.com/t2vYiahRn6</a>&mdash; MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/1881094861279129643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The coin, which was themed around the incoming first lady, was launched on Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>), much like the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076559/donald-trumps-meme-coin-trump-rallies-103-in-a-day-creates-billions-out-of-thin-air">token's launch tied to her husband</a> a couple of days ago.



The meme coin's website issued a disclaimer, stating, "Melania Memes are intended for collecting and entertainment purposes only. They are not financial instruments or investments."



MELANIA token has <a href="https://dexscreener.com/solana/9dirurpjnanzhn6ts5hglouhtjrt1jgspbxnycrfz2ad">jumped</a> over 21,000% in the last 24 hours to a market capitalization of $11.39 billion and generating approximately $383 million in liquidity in just four hours.



Popular cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez revealed that he shorted the OFFICIAL TRUMP token and that it was &#8220;going well.&#8221; Earlier he announced selling all of his TRUMP tokens.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">My <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TRUMP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TRUMP</a> short is going very, very well! <a href="https://t.co/n7FH2Ce9um">https://t.co/n7FH2Ce9um</a> <a href="https://t.co/kEv9QXuaFN">pic.twitter.com/kEv9QXuaFN</a>&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1881092494680879112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Another widely-followed cryptocurrency investor, Altcoin Gordon, disclosed opening a $500,000 short on the token. 



&#8220;Liquidation is $90 If it hits $55, I will make $2.7 million. I am ready for the sell-off,&#8221; the trader revealed their strategy.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I just opened a $500K short on Trump coin Liquidation is $90 If it hits $55 I will make $2.7M. I am ready for the sell off. You think I will win? <a href="https://t.co/uRNU5yMP4H">pic.twitter.com/uRNU5yMP4H</a>&mdash; Gordon (@AltcoinGordon) <a href="https://twitter.com/AltcoinGordon/status/1880962042993299522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>



Why It Matters: The launch of OFFICIAL TRUMP created a stir in the cryptocurrency space, as its fully diluted valuation reached a whopping $74 billion at one time.



Reports <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076559/donald-trumps-meme-coin-trump-rallies-103-in-a-day-creates-billions-out-of-thin-air">suggested </a>that&nbsp; CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of the Trump Organization, and a related entity, Fight Fight Fight LLC, own an 80% share of the digital asset, fueling speculation of an increase in Trump&#8217;s fortune as a result of the meme coin.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TRUMP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TRUMP</a>&#39;s meme coin just traded at $74. The total Supply is 1B, and 200M is in circulation. Total mktcap is $74B. Trump&#39;s paper profit is ~$60B (80% of which is not in circulation). Does this make him the greatest crypto billionaire in history? And it took just 36 hours!… <a href="https://t.co/v52wgtv9On">pic.twitter.com/v52wgtv9On</a>&mdash; Jim Bianco (@biancoresearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/biancoresearch/status/1881001234838016370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



However, naysayers didn't hold back. Anthony Scaramucci, a prominent cryptocurrency advocate and former White House Communications Director, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076714/scaramucci-criticizes-donald-trumps-meme-coin-launch-idi-amin-level-corruption">labeled the launch</a> as "Idi Amin-level corruption."



Donald Trump was all set to take the presidential oath on Monday. He has confirmed that his inaugural address will take place indoors in the Capitol Rotunda due to dangerously cold weather in Washington, D.C.



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Trump Coin Tanks 36%, Even As Melania Trump Launches Her Own Token: Top Analyst Says His Short Is 'Going Very, Very Well'

President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming VP JD Vance debuted their new presidential and vice presidential portraits last week and, well, they could not have been more different.



Daniel Torok, the President-elect's chief photographer, revealed the portraits on X. "We are entering the GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA," Torok wrote. His feed quickly filled up with hilarious commentary comparing and contrasting Trump and Vance as mafia don to blue-eyed Boy Scout.



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We are entering the GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA! &#x2764;&#xFE0F;&#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8; <a href="https://t.co/tU3nCgAqEi">pic.twitter.com/tU3nCgAqEi</a>&mdash; Daniel Torok (@dto_rok) <a href="https://twitter.com/dto_rok/status/1879743327781945429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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"They go hard," <a href="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/news/07024bed-769c-482f-a243-5c5ee1682e9e">wrote</a> Trump's transition team in a one-sentence press release about the official portraits. There was no explanation about who or what went hard though we presume the two men in the portrait.



Clearly Trump's demeanor, eyes squinting, defiant mob-boss look on his face, is not a far cry from the mugshot seen around the world when <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/08/33851310/donald-trump-election-fraud-probe-georgia-grand-jury-reportedly-issues-10-indictments">he was&nbsp;booked</a> into the Fulton county jail on charges&nbsp;of attempting to steal the 2020 presidential election. He was clearly fuming then. But now? Five years later and the leader of the free world, what&#8217;s he so annoyed about?



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076559/donald-trumps-meme-coin-trump-rallies-103-in-a-day-creates-billions-out-of-thin-air">Donald Trump&#8217;s Meme Coin &#8216;TRUMP&#8217; Rallies 103% in a Day, Creates Billions Out of Thin Air</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">There&#8217;s A Method To His Meanness</h2>



In addition to evoking a tough-guy, almost scary, masculine energy in his 2025 presidential portrait, we now know that the 2020 mugshot went on to serve a higher purpose: it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/12/36205739/trump-mug-shot-gets-nft-treatment-how-you-can-also-own-a-piece-of-the-suit-he-wore">helped raise funds</a> for Trump&#8217;s 2024 election campaign as part of a collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).



The threatening face ultimately made its way to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42890191/trump-themed-nfts-launch-on-bitcoin-network-for-first-timeheres-what-you-should-know">the recent launch</a> of Trump's latest NFT collection, &#8220;Trump Bitcoin Digital Trading Cards,&#8221; on the Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) network. 



CollectTrumpCards, the U.S. president as of Jan 20&#8217;s official <a href="https://x.com/collecttrump?lang=en">NFT account on X</a>, announced that buyers of 100 &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/12/36205739/trump-mug-shot-gets-nft-treatment-how-you-can-also-own-a-piece-of-the-suit-he-wore">Mugshot Edition</a>&#8221; NFTs can claim them on Magic Eden by submitting their Bitcoin wallet. 



So there&#8217;s money to be made on coins, as witnessed by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076559/donald-trumps-meme-coin-trump-rallies-103-in-a-day-creates-billions-out-of-thin-air">Saturday launch </a>of the meme coin TRUMP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) that immediately soared to to $5.6 billion within just 24 hours. 



And then there&#8217;s JD Vance whose bright blue eyes and congenial smile remind one of a boy scout leader in a small Ohio town who made it big and couldn't be happier.



Things sure have changed since Gilbert Stuart painted George Washington&#8217;s portrait in 1797.



Now Read:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/25/01/43076440/trumps-crypto-ball-snoop-doggs-participation-leaves-fans-furious-top-crypto-execs-delighted">Trump&#8217;s Crypto Ball: Snoop Dogg&#8217;s Participation Leaves Fans Furious, Top Crypto Execs Delighted</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy of Trump-Vance Transition Team/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Donald Trump And JD Vance's Official Portraits: Mugshot Meme Vs Smiling Boy Scout?

Sherpa, a highly followed crypto analyst, has forecasted a significant surge for the altcoin Hyperliquid (CRYPTO: HYPE). 



What Happened: In a <a href="https://x.com/AltcoinSherpa/status/1880248083956789654">post</a> on X, Sherpa shared his bullish perspective on Hyperliquid. The crypto analyst anticipates that HYPE, a utility token of the decentralized open financial system, could surge by at least 116% from its current level before the end of this cycle.



Despite seeing potential in HYPE, Sherpa advises his followers to gradually scale in their positions. He also mentioned, &#8220;Not one to give you&nbsp;a 10x at these current&nbsp;levels for this cycle in&nbsp;my opinion but could still&nbsp;be a safe one to&nbsp;hold.&#8221;



Last month, the altcoin&nbsp;earned $26.5 million in USDC revenue through platform fees and ticker auctions.



Regarding XRP, Sherpa advises patience, noting that it&#8217;s&nbsp;not at an ideal level&nbsp;for long entries. When it comes to Cardano (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ada/usd">ADA</a>), Sherpa sees strength in the altcoin&nbsp;on the weekly time frame, predicting it could continue to rise if other first-generation altcoins appreciate.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39125451/crypto-trader-says-these-two-meme-coins-are-set-to-spike-and-neither-of-them-are-dogecoin-">Crypto Trader Says These Two Meme Coins Are Set To Spike — And Neither Of Them Are Dogecoin Or Shiba Inu</a>



Lastly, Sherpa remains optimistic about Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>),&nbsp;the largest memecoin by market&nbsp;cap. He suggests that DOGE could trade within a range for a&nbsp;while before revisiting its&nbsp;42-month high of around $0.485.



Why It Matters: Sherpa&#8217;s predictions are significant given his large following and the current volatile nature of the crypto market. His bullish outlook on Hyperliquid could potentially influence other traders and investors. 



His cautionary advice on XRP and optimism for Cardano and Dogecoin also provide valuable insights for those navigating the crypto market. 



However, as always, investors should conduct their own research and consider multiple perspectives before making investment decisions.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42319671/ethereum-killer-hyperliquid-explodes-for-274-7-day-gain-could-create-more-millionaires-than-microsoft-at-this-rate-trader-says">Hyperliquid Explodes For 274% 7-Day Gain, Could Create &#8216;More Millionaires Than Microsoft At This Rate,&#8217; Trader Says</a>

Forget Dogecoin And Shiba Inu - This Altcoin Expected To Skyrocket By 116% Before End Of This Cycle

Anthony Scaramucci has expressed his disapproval of President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s newly launched meme coin TRUMP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>), <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40666453/scaramucci-trump-is-in-trouble-and-he-knows-it-slams-him-on-conflicting-abortion-statements-hes-shot">labeling it &#8220;corruption.&#8221;</a>



What Happened: On Saturday, Trump announced the launch of his official &#8220;$TRUMP&#8221; meme coin. The coin, which was developed by Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>), has received a substantial market response, with its price escalating from $0.18 to $26.95, marking&nbsp;a 253.75 percent increase in&nbsp;just 24 hours. 



The coin&#8217;s market cap then reached to a staggering $5.39 billion.



Responding to the launch of TRUMP meme coin, Scaramucci criticized the venture on X and referred to&nbsp;it as &#8220;corruption&#8221; and &#8220;bad&nbsp;for the industry.&#8221;



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The Trump meme coin stuff is bad for the industry. Don't delude yourself. It's Idi Amin level corruption.&mdash; Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scaramucci/status/1880570676043727354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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This is not Trump&#8217;s first foray into selling merchandise featuring his image. He has previously sold items such as digital trading cards, high-top sneakers, T-shirts, and Bibles. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41866624/scaramucci-on-trump-win-i-got-it-wrong-im-not-going-to-whine-about-it">Scaramucci On Trump Win: &#8216;I Got It Wrong, I&#8217;m Not Going To Whine About It&#8217;</a>



His niece Mary Trump has accused him in the past of &#8220;grifting&#8221; through the sale of such merchandise. The meme coin was launched just days before Trump&#8217;s inauguration as president.



Why It Matters: The launch of the &#8220;$TRUMP&#8221; meme coin and its subsequent market response is indicative of the growing influence of cryptocurrencies. However, the criticism from Scaramucci, a former aide and industry insider, raises questions about the ethical implications of such ventures. 



This incident underscores the need for clear regulations and transparency in the cryptocurrency industry to prevent potential misuse and ensure investor protection.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42254953/scaramucci-on-trump-deportation-plan-were-going-to-have-a-stock-market-crash">Scaramucci on Trump Deportation Plan: &#8216;We&#8217;re Going To Have a Stock Market Crash&#8217;</a>



Image: Shutterstock

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