$Trump and $Melania go 'stoinks' ahead of inauguration

Donald Trump and Melania Trump have launched two meme coins, $TRUMP and $MELANIA, ahead of his second term in office.

Since their introduction, the coins have attracted significant attention, with $TRUMP reaching a market cap of $15 billion and $MELANIA at $1.19 billion.

Photo: @RealDonaldTrump on X

According to CoinGecko, $TRUMP is currently the 22nd most valuable cryptocurrency, while $MELANIA ranks 94th.

Trump’s advocacy for cryptocurrency:

Trump, an advocate of cryptocurrency, referred to the new meme coins as "investments" during a recent rally. His wife, Melania Trump, launched her coin, $MELANIA, on January 20, 2025.

Trump has also expressed his intention to implement crypto-friendly regulations, with pro-crypto figures nominated for positions within his administration.

What are meme coins?

Meme coins are digital assets inspired by internet trends and memes. These cryptocurrencies often lack a clear use case and are usually created as a fun or satirical venture rather than for practical application.

They are built using blockchain technology, which records and shares data across a decentralized network. Meme coins have gained popularity due to their viral nature, attracting a large community of investors and speculators.

How meme coins work?

Meme coins operate on blockchain networks and are usually stored as tokens that can be traded on cryptocurrency exchanges.

While they often lack intrinsic value or purpose, their price is heavily influenced by speculation and social media trends. Well-known examples of meme coins include Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB), both of which were created as jokes but have since gained substantial followings.

Advantages of meme coins

Meme coins offer some advantages, such as being an accessible way to learn about cryptocurrency and blockchain, and they tend to be less expensive than other forms of cryptocurrency, making them more appealing to novice investors.

Disadvantages and risks of meme coins

However, meme coins are highly volatile and speculative, with prices driven largely by trends and online hype.

They carry significant risks due to a lack of regulation, making them a risky investment. Additionally, meme coins have no intrinsic value beyond their use for trading and speculation.