Tue Jan 21 08:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Incoming First Lady Melania Trump Launches Cryptocurrency, $MELANIA, Amidst Crypto Surge
**Washington D.C.** – In a surprising move, incoming First Lady Melania Trump has launched her own cryptocurrency, $MELANIA, just days before her husband’s presidential inauguration. The announcement follows the earlier launch of “$Trump,” a cryptocurrency associated with President-elect Donald Trump.
Both tokens have seen significant price increases since their launch, although trading has been volatile. Melania Trump announced the launch on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The official Melania Meme coin is LIVE! You can now buy $MELANIA!” The cryptocurrency, described on the official website as the “Official Melania Meme Token,” operates on the Solana blockchain.
Disclaimers on both the $Trump and $MELANIA websites emphasize that they are “not intended to be” investment opportunities or securities. Despite this, CoinMarketCap.com reports a market capitalization of approximately $12 billion for $Trump and $1.7 billion for $MELANIA.
This development comes after President Trump, who previously referred to cryptocurrencies as a “scam,” became the first presidential candidate to accept digital asset donations during his 2024 campaign. He has also expressed intentions to build a strategic Bitcoin reserve and appoint financial regulators with a more positive stance towards digital assets. Following his election victory, Bitcoin surged to record highs, trading at $140,000 according to Coinbase.
The launch coincides with increased activity in the cryptocurrency market, including a recent “crypto ball” in Washington D.C. attended by incoming AI and cryptocurrency czar David Sacks. Other cryptocurrencies, such as Dogecoin, have also experienced significant gains this year. However, the Biden administration’s regulatory agencies have expressed concerns about fraud and money laundering, taking action against exchanges and crypto companies.
First Piper 