Donald Trump’s Crypto Ventures: How the Ex-President Fleeced Investors Out of Billions

Let’s be clear—I’m no crypto enthusiast. Too much hype, too little substance. But even I can’t ignore the spectacle of Donald Trump’s forays into the crypto world. They’re not just entertaining; they’re downright alarming. A recent investigation by U.S. consumer advocacy group Public Citizen paints a damning picture: Trump and his crypto projects have, at minimum, wiped out $4.7 billion in investor funds. And that’s a conservative estimate.
Empty Promises and TrumpCoins
Public Citizen zeroed in on two key areas: Trump’s own crypto exchange, World Liberty Financial (WLF), and his past ventures like the TrumpCoin—or his ties to Tron. The findings read like a bad crime novel with no satisfying ending.
Take the TrumpCoin, the 2016 election meme token meant to glorify Trump’s genius and make investors rich. Spoiler: Neither happened. The price crashed, leaving countless investors holding the bag. Public Citizen estimates billions lost on this token alone—and similar projects. I mean, who bets their money on a coin with a name that sounds like a bad marketing gimmick?
WLF and the Illusion of a "Safe" Stablecoin
Then came World Liberty Financial and its USD1 stablecoin, marketed as a stable, secure alternative in a sea of volatile crypto. The catch? WLF operates through an opaque web of companies and individuals with little transparency. Public Citizen accuses the project of serving primarily as a marketing tool for Trum



p’s political ambitions, with USD1 doubling as both an investment vehicle and a campaign finance source. Sound like a good idea to you? To me, it sounds like a bad joke.
A Warning About Celebrity Crypto
Public Citizen is now calling for stricter regulations on crypto projects promoted by celebrities or politicians—and I have to agree. We’ve all seen this movie: an influencer hypes a “safe” coin or “revolutionary” NFT project, and suddenly thousands lose their life savings. The hype is instant; the risk disclaimers? Nowhere to be found.
Trump’s saga is yet another reminder: When someone with a megaphone—and no expertise—enters crypto, things get dangerous. Sure, critics will say, “But crypto is risky—do your own research!” Fine. But how many people have the time or knowledge to distinguish a legitimate project from a thinly veiled scam? Most rely on the name—and that’s exactly the problem.
A Wake-Up Call for Regulation?
Will politicians act? Doubtful. But for the investors who poured money into Trump’s crypto adventures, the lesson comes too late. Maybe that’s the point: As long as regulation slumbers and celebrities keep pushing dodgy projects with impunity, nothing will change.
As for me? I’ll stick to calling crypto a gambler’s game. But if you’re going to gamble, at least don’t bet on the word of a man who markets his own exchange as “safe.” I’d rather roll the dice in a regular casino—I at least know the odds.