President Donald Trump's annual financial disclosure shows he made more than US$1 billion from cryptocurrency last year, a staggering sum that has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who accuse him of using his office for personal gain.
How Trump Earned Billions from Digital Assets
Trump and his family are involved in three main crypto ventures: the $TRUMP memecoin, a governance token called WLFI, and a stablecoin named USD1. Together, these generated over $1 billion in income, according to the disclosure. World Liberty Financial, co-founded by the Trump family, brought in more than $500 million, while the memecoin business contributed over $600 million. Forbes now estimates Trump's net worth at $6 billion, up from $2.3 billion in 2024.
The Stablecoin Strategy: USD1 and Binance
The stablecoin USD1 is designed to be worth exactly US$1, backed by Treasury bonds and cash. The key to its profitability lies in scale: the more coins issued, the more interest earned on reserves. Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, reportedly wrote the code for USD1 and promoted it. In May 2025, MGX, an Abu Dhabi state fund chaired by the UAE's national security adviser, invested $2 billion in Binance and paid in USD1, instantly creating $80 million in annual interest for the Trump venture. Binance now holds 87% of all USD1. The SEC dropped its lawsuit against Binance days after it listed USD1, and Trump later pardoned Binance's founder, Changpeng Zhao. A Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that Sheikh Tahnoon had also secretly bought a 49% stake in World Liberty for about $500 million four days before Trump's inauguration.
The $TRUMP Memecoin: Pure Hype
The $TRUMP memecoin launched three days before Trump's inauguration. About 80% of its supply is held by Trump-affiliated companies, which collect fees on every trade. Speculators bought the coin based on hype, with some spending $148 million for seats at a dinner with Trump. However, the coin has since collapsed, trading at about 98% below its peak. Legal experts warn that memecoins can serve as a channel for untraceable gifts to Trump and his family.
Governance Tokens and Other Ventures
WLFI is a governance token that gives holders voting rights but no ownership or profit claim. A Trump business entity owns 60% of World Liberty and is entitled to 75% of net proceeds from token sales. A Reuters investigation of four main crypto ventures—World Liberty, the memecoin business, American Bitcoin, and AI Financial Corp—found the family has gained about $2.3 billion since Trump retook office, almost exactly matching the amount lost by more than a million investors.
Criticism and Defense
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, a Democratic Senate candidate, accused Trump of using public office “to make billions while American families struggle to afford their basic needs. His infinite greed is disgusting.” The White House denied any conflicts of interest. Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said “all actions by President Trump and his administration are taken in the best interest of the American people.”
Regulatory Concerns
While some crypto regulations under Trump, like the GENIUS Act, are seen as positive, the appearance of special favors and institutionalized corruption threatens to undermine trust. Trump's crypto dealings are without precedent in US history, raising concerns about the rule of law and foreign influence.
