On the eve of Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025, Melania Trump entered the cryptocurrency scene with the launch of $MELANIA. A meme coin that quickly caught the attention of both crypto enthusiasts and political observers.
The Launch of $MELANIA
Melania Trump announced the launch of $MELANIA on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $MELANIA now.” The coin was introduced on the Solana blockchain. The coin’s website describes it as a “fungible crypto asset” aimed at engaging with and supporting Melania Trump’s public image, explicitly stating it’s not intended as an investment or security.
Market Dynamics and Performance
Upon its launch, $MELANIA experienced a surge, with its price jumping by over 2,000% within hours, showcasing the speculative frenzy often associated with meme coins. $MELANIA reached a valuation of around $1.7 billion. However, this initial surge was followed by significant volatility, a common trait in the meme coin sector, where prices can be driven more by social media buzz and endorsements than by fundamental value or utility.
The coin’s introduction also had an immediate impact on the memecoin market, particularly on Donald Trump’s $TRUMP coin, which has a market valuation of approximately $12 billion. $TRUMP memecoin saw a sharp decline in value before recovering somewhat. This indicated a possible shift of speculative investment from $TRUMP asset to $MELANIA.
Public and Community Reaction
Reactions varied widely. On one side, there was a wave of support from Trump’s base, seeing it as another form of engagement with the Trump brand. On the other, there has been skepticism from the crypto community about the sustainability and ethical implications of the launch of these meme coins by Trump’s family. Posts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) highlighted the excitement for potential gains and warnings against the risks of investing in such speculative assets.