From Politics to Memecoins: Trump Boosts Crypto Buzz
It’s official: Donald Trump has taken his brand to a whole new level—memecoins. And in doing so, he’s managed to give the world of cryptocurrency a major jolt, sending search interest for the term “crypto” to its highest point in over three years.
Trump’s memecoin adventure started on January 18, 2025, just days before his presidential inauguration, with the launch of his very own Official Trump (TRUMP) token. Not to be left out, First Lady Melania Trump followed suit, dropping her own coin, Melania Meme (MELANIA). Both coins saw impressive hype at launch, but as anyone who’s ever dipped their toes in the memecoin waters knows, things quickly took a turn for the worse.
The real kicker? Google Trends data revealed that crypto searches hit their highest point since November 2021—the same time when Bitcoin was hitting its record-breaking peak above $67,000. Seems like Trump has a way of making things trend, whether it’s through headlines or, apparently, memecoins.
The Trump Memecoin Effect: Crypto’s Big Moment (or Not?)
Beyond just search interest, Trump’s memecoin release had a ripple effect on crypto-related apps. By January 22, apps like Crypto.com, Moonshot, and Coinbase dominated the top spots in the finance category on Apple’s App Store in the US. Other heavy hitters like Coinbase Wallet, Robinhood, and Kraken were right up there too. It was a full-on crypto app takeover.
And the effects weren’t just limited to apps. Solana, one of the popular blockchain platforms, saw a surge in activity. New Solana addresses hit a mind-blowing all-time high of nearly 9 million on the day of Trump’s inauguration. Crypto was suddenly in the spotlight, and plenty of newbies were jumping on board.
In fact, a survey from NFTevening on January 20 found that a staggering 42% of people buying TRUMP tokens were doing so for the very first time. Talk about an introduction to the world of digital assets!
But Wait—Is It All Fun and Games?
While some folks see Trump’s memecoin as a win for crypto awareness, others aren’t so thrilled. Coffeezilla, a well-known crypto scam investigator, didn’t mince words, calling the memecoin launch something that “should be a crime.” Ouch.
The critics aren’t the only ones raising concerns. Rep. Maxine Waters from California warned that the launch of the Trump memecoin could present serious national security risks—a statement that threw more fuel on the fire of controversy.
And, of course, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for investors. The TRUMP token has seen a sharp decline in price, dropping over 60% since its peak. As you might expect, a lot of early investors are now looking at their portfolios with a mix of confusion and regret, with some reporting millions in losses.
The Risk and the Reward of Memecoin Mania
Let’s be real: memecoins are a wild ride. They’re not for the faint of heart, and the Trump memecoin saga proves it. On one hand, it got the crypto world buzzing, attracting first-time investors and making crypto the trending topic across major platforms. On the other hand, it also serves as a cautionary tale of how quickly things can go south in this volatile market.
So, what’s next? The memecoin market isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and if Trump’s venture is any indicator, expect more surprises in the near future. But, as always in crypto, buyer beware—especially when the hype machine gets rolling.
