How cryptocurrencies are changing global politics
Key takeaways
- Despite once dismissing them, Donald Trump made over $1 billion from cryptocurrency sales last year.
- Most of the profits came from his World Liberty Financial business selling new crypto products ($500 million) and sales of so-called "meme coins" ($600 million).
- It comes at a time when the US president's policies on crypto have become increasingly favorable, with regulation cut and federal rules for stablecoin introduced.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Despite once dismissing them, Donald Trump made over $1 billion from cryptocurrency sales last year. But the digital currencies, and their lobbyists, are having an effect on policy and politicians around the world.
https://p.dw.com/p/5GOe0Donald Trump's crypto investments, such as Trumpcoin, have been lucrative Image: Niklas Larsson/BILDBYRÅN/picture alliance Advertisement As recently as 2021, he described cryptocurrency as "a disaster waiting to happen” and a "scam." But digital, decentralized currency made Donald Trump well over $1 billion (€878 million) in 2025 alone, according to annual financial disclosures released on Tuesday.
Most of the profits came from his World Liberty Financial business selling new crypto products ($500 million) and sales of so-called "meme coins" ($600 million).