Score One for Crypto: Big Bucks for Prez Trump
In a nutshell:
- Crypto income was second to hospitality businesses in Trump's 2024 income, but it's set to take the lead in 2025 thanks to his crypto ventures, including a meme coin and WLFI token sales.
- Trump made over $58 million from crypto in 2024, primarily from WLFI token sales. His hospitality businesses netted him $418 million, with Mar-a-Lago alone bringing in $50 million.
- Despite the crypto gains, Trump's crypto empire has drawn criticism for potential conflicts of interest as Congress debates crypto bills.
Trump's Income from Cryptocurrency Ranks Second Significant
Unlock the juicy deets at DECRYPT's SCENE:
Digital gold rush for POTUS! It's official, folks — Trump's crypto holdings were his second-biggest money source in 2024, and that was before he reclaimed his position as CEO of the Oval Office. According to financial disclosure papers submitted to the US Office of Government Ethics, Trump raked in a cool $58 million from crypto ventures, giving the digital coin a runner-up spot in his income ranks.
The stellar revenue stream pales in comparison to Trump's hospitality businesses, which brought in a hefty $418 million. The income came from a variety of sources, including Trump's beloved Mar-a-Lago, his prestige club in Palm Beach, which contributed a whopping $50 million.
But, buckle up because, for 2025, crypto looks set to surge to the front of the pack. Since the reporting period closed, Trump has garnered billions from various crypto gigs, such as expanded World Liberty offerings and his very own meme coin. In March alone, after World Liberty sold $550 million worth of WLFI tokens, Trump and his crew snagged an estimated $390 million. His meme coin, which debuted as he swore in for a second stint, is currently valued at a staggering $10 billion! Although Trump hasn't cashed in on those profits just yet, you can bet they'll be delicious when they hit his bank account.
Surprisingly, the disclosure comes at a time when digital assets featured prominently among Trump's income sources—even before his biggest crypto entries into the game. Fast forward to 2024, crypto could have outranked Trump's real estate empire in terms of earnings, with rent from Trump's global properties generating between $24 million and $63 million.
Last year, crypto income eclipsed earnings from Trump's traditionally reliable revenue streams of licensing and royalties. Trump pocketed around $34 million in licensing fees from projects all over the globe, while revenues from Trump-branded merch like watches, shoes, books, and bibles amounted to less than a fifth of his crypto income.
With the crypto industry now in Trump's crosshairs, lawmakers are becoming increasingly alarmed about the president's crypto endeavors. Recent months have seen an outcry about potential conflicts of interest as Congress discusses crypto regulations. As the legislative process grinds on, crypto insiders worry that Trump's crypto empire may derail regulatory efforts. If all goes south, it could leave us all hanging with unclear crypto rules.
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Enrichment Data:
- Trump's substantial crypto profits and holdings raise conflict of interest concerns, especially while he negotiates crypto-related legislation in Congress.
- The current crypto market regulations are under review, with Trump's crypto affiliations creating a complex and evolving situation in the halls of Congress.
- Trump is a controversial figure in the crypto industry, but his administration has actively supported and encouraged the growth of digital assets at the federal level.
[1] Simone, A. (2025). Trump's Crypto Empire: A Conflict of Interest? [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2025/03/01/trumps-crypto-empire-a-conflict-of-interest/?sh=34444dc236b9 [Accessed 15 April 2025].
[2] Herrera, S. (2025). Trump's Crypto Empire: Can Congress Regulate While Potentially Being Influenced? [online] Politico. Available at: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/31/trump-crypto-empire-regulation-062778 [Accessed 15 April 2025].
[3] Etha, E. (2025). Trump's Pro-Crypto Agenda: Unlocking Government Support for Digital Assets. [online] CoinDesk. Available at: https://www.coindesk.com/learn/government/trumps-pro-crypto-agenda-unlocking-government-support-for-digital-assets/ [Accessed 15 April 2025].
- Trump's $58 million earned in 2024 from crypto ventures, such as WLFI token sales, ranked second in his income sources, surpassing earnings from traditional revenue streams like licensing and royalties.
- For 2025, crypto investments look set to overtake Trump's hospitality businesses, with potential earnings from meme coin and expanded World Liberty offerings.
- Trump's crypto holdings and income, including from his meme coin, raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest as he negotiates crypto-related legislation.
- The ongoing debate about crypto regulations in Congress is complex due to Trump's extensive crypto empire and advocacy for the growth of digital assets.
- Investors, crypto enthusiasts, and lawmakers alike are closely following Trump's crypto empire and its potential impact on digital asset regulations.
