8-5-2025 – Changpeng Zhao, the former head of Binance, firmly distanced himself from the $TRUMP meme coin, asserting he holds no stake in the token and has no ties to its operations. His remarks aimed to quash swirling speculation tying him to the cryptocurrency, which has been loosely associated with US President Donald Trump. Zhao, keen to steer clear of America’s charged sociopolitical landscape, noted the coin’s prominence in public discourse but dismissed any personal involvement, citing the rumour mill as the source of misguided assumptions.
The $TRUMP coin has sparked intense curiosity within the crypto sphere, its value propelled by reports of an exclusive gala set for 22 May, where the token’s top 220 investors are slated to dine with President Trump. This event, billed on the coin’s website as a groundbreaking moment of exclusivity, has amplified chatter about Trump’s broader entanglements with cryptocurrency ventures. Such associations have drawn sharp criticism from political adversaries, particularly Democratic lawmakers, who have pointed to these links as evidence of a potential conflict of interest. Their objections have already delayed discussions on a proposed cryptocurrency bill, leaving the industry on edge as the gala approaches.
Market data reflects the coin’s wild ride. After soaring 110% in under a week, fuelled by anticipation of the high-profile dinner, $TRUMP hit a peak of $16.43 in late April, according to TradingView. The surge proved fleeting, with a 38% pullback dragging the price to $10.39. It has since clawed its way back to $12.13, a testament to the token’s volatility amid the frenzy of speculation. While some in the crypto community question whether Trump himself holds any $TRUMP, the coin’s trajectory remains tethered to his name and the media spotlight it attracts.