In a significant regulatory shift, Trump-allied Paul Atkins was sworn in as SEC chairman on April 22, 2025, replacing Gary Gensler. The transition signals a potential transformation in cryptocurrency and financial regulatory approaches, with Atkins indicating an immediate willingness to implement …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationPaul AtkinsGary GenslerMark Uyedacryptoregulatory-capturesectrump-administrationfinancial-regulation
Circle, Paxos, BitGo, and Coinbase are preparing to apply for national bank charters or trust bank licenses, reflecting the Trump administration’s aggressive pro-cryptocurrency stance. This move represents a significant shift in crypto firms’ strategy, seeking deeper integration with the …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationCircle Internet FinancialBitGo Inc.Coinbase+1 morecryptobankingtrump-administrationfinancial-regulationfinancial-capture
Trump and business partner Bill Zanker announced a blockchain-based real estate video game resembling Monopoly, expanding the Trump family’s crypto ecosystem. The game allows players to build digital real estate using blockchain tokens, representing Trump’s continued push into …
Donald TrumpBill ZankerKevin MercuriTrump Administrationcryptoblockchainvideo-gamestrump-ventures
The Department of Justice announced a strategic realignment of white-collar crime enforcement, introducing a new framework with 10 targeted priority areas. While not a complete reduction, the policy involves resource constraints, shifting investigative focus, and implementing more efficient …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationMatthew GaleottiJames McHenry IIIcryptocorruptionforeign-influencejustice-weaponizationcorporate-crime+4 more
In an unprecedented move, the Trump family launched a multi-pronged cryptocurrency empire in 2025, establishing ventures including American Bitcoin Corp (a Bitcoin mining company), World Liberty Financial token, and multiple cryptocurrency projects spanning mining, NFTs, and stablecoins. The family …
Donald TrumpEric TrumpDonald Trump Jr.Trump Administrationcryptotrump-familyfinancial-capturebitcoinnft
Trump has disbanded the DOJ’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team and deprioritized prosecutions of crypto firms, effectively greenlighting regulatory violations like money laundering and unlicensed exchanges
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptoregulatory-captureethics-violationjustice-weaponization
Binance executives met with Treasury officials to request removal of U.S. monitor overseeing anti-money-laundering compliance while simultaneously negotiating deals with Trump’s World Liberty Financial crypto venture
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptoregulatory-capturegovernment-contracts
President Donald J. Trump signed H.J.Res.25 into law, nullifying an IRS rule that would have expanded cryptocurrency broker reporting requirements to include decentralized finance (DeFi) exchanges. The Congressional Review Act was used to reverse the Biden-era regulation, with the House passing the …
Donald TrumpMike CareyWays and Means CommitteeCongresscryptoregulatory-capturetax-policylegislative-action
The Trump Administration’s Justice Department, led by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, disbanded the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET), effectively ending federal prosecutorial oversight of complex crypto-related financial crimes. The move represents a significant …
Donald TrumpTodd BlancheTrump Administrationcryptoregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationtrump-administrationfinancial-deregulation
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued April 7 memo dissolving NCET “effective immediately,” ending Biden-era crypto enforcement unit established 2021-2022. DOJ shifted from “regulation by prosecution” to crypto-friendly approach, explicitly stating it won’t pursue …
Department of JusticeTodd Blanche (Deputy Attorney General)National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET)Trump AdministrationComputer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS)cryptoenforcementregulatory-captureoversight-elimination
Trump’s World Liberty Financial sold $25 million worth of tokens to Dubai-based DWF Labs on April 4, 2025, just three days before Trump’s Justice Department announced disbanding of team that previously investigated crypto fraud cases. The Trump family holds 60% stake in World Liberty …
Trump FamilyWorld Liberty FinancialDWF LabsDepartment of JusticeZak Folkmancryptoworld-liberty-financialdwf-labsdojquid-pro-quo+1 more
Trump issued a full pardon to HDR Global Trading, the parent company of crypto exchange BitMEX, which had pleaded guilty to violating anti-money laundering laws and was fined $100 million
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptopardongovernment-contracts
The Trump family, in partnership with the Witkoffs, quietly seized control of World Liberty Financial after raising $550 million through sales of WLFI tokens. The venture includes a USD1 stablecoin and has attracted significant foreign investment, including a potential $2 billion deal with an Abu …
Donald TrumpEric TrumpZach WitkoffJustin Suncryptogovernment-contractsforeign-investmentfinancial-captureoffshore-investment
The Trump family partners with Hut 8 Corp. to launch American Bitcoin Corp., a new Bitcoin mining venture aimed at becoming a leading strategic Bitcoin mining and reserve company. Eric Trump serves as co-founder and chief strategy officer, with the company targeting a Nasdaq listing and expansive …
Eric TrumpDonald Trump Jr.Hut 8 Corp.Mike HoMatt Prusak+1 morecryptotrump-familybitcoin-miningfinancial-capture
Trump has granted full pardons to BitMEX co-founders Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo, and Samuel Reed, who were convicted of violating the Bank Secrecy Act for failing to implement anti-money laundering controls
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptopardonregulatory-capture
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) restructured its cryptocurrency regulatory approach by dissolving its previous Crypto Asset and Cyber Unit and launching a new Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit, signaling a shift from enforcement to regulatory framework development.
Paul AtkinsMark T. UyedaHester PeirceSEC Crypto Task Forceregulatory-capturecryptosec-restructuringregulatory-framework
The FDIC issued Financial Institution Letter (FIL-7-2025) on March 28, 2025, removing prior approval requirements for banks’ crypto-related activities. Acting Chairman Travis Hill announced a significant policy shift, allowing FDIC-supervised institutions to engage in crypto-related activities …
Donald TrumpTravis HillTrump AdministrationFDICcryptofinancial-regulationbankingtrump-administration
World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture co-founded by Trump’s associates, announced the launch of USD1, a stablecoin pegged 1-to-1 to the U.S. dollar. The launch involves a strategic partnership with Binance and a $75 million investment from Justin Sun, raising significant concerns …
Donald TrumpZachary FolkmanChase HerroZach WitkoffJustin Sun+1 morecryptostablecoinfinancial-capturetrump-network
Treasury Department lifted sanctions on Tornado Cash crypto mixing service previously designated for laundering over $7 billion, removing barriers to anonymous cryptocurrency transactions.
In a landmark regulatory decision on March 19, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped its four-year lawsuit against Ripple Labs, a cryptocurrency firm with close political connections. Following a partial legal victory in 2023 and significant changes in SEC leadership under the …
World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture backed by Trump’s family, announced it raised $250 million in its second token sale, bringing total sales to $550 million. The project demonstrates potential conflicts of interest and regulatory capture in the cryptocurrency sector.
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationWorld Liberty FinancialJustin Suncryptoworld-liberty-financialgovernment-contractscrypto-ventureregulatory-capture+3 more
Senator Richard Blumenthal’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations opens preliminary inquiry into Trump’s digital assets, stating ‘TRUMP allows, and even invites, anyone in the world, including foreign governments and unscrupulous individuals, to directly enrich the …
Richard BlumenthalSenate Permanent Subcommittee on InvestigationsDonald Trumpcongressional-investigationcryptoforeign-influencecorruption-investigation
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s deep ties to the cryptocurrency industry have raised concerns about potential regulatory capture. Through his firm Cantor Fitzgerald and personal investments, Lutnick has significant financial interests in crypto firms while leading the Trump …
Donald TrumpHoward LutnickElizabeth WarrenTrump Administrationcryptoregulatory-capturetrump-administrationfinancial-corruption
Cryptocurrency Tether went from target of government scrutiny to ally of Trump; it’s backed by Commerce Secretary Lutnick and now holds $140 billion in US Treasury bonds—making it the 17th-largest holder of US debt
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptoregulatory-capturegovernment-contracts
White House issued March 5 ethics waiver allowing David Sacks to shape crypto policy despite remaining financial interests in digital assets through Craft Ventures. Despite selling $200M in liquid crypto holdings, Sacks retained stakes in BitGo and Lightning Labs. Warren questioned the conflict as …
David SacksWhite HouseDavid Warrington (White House Counsel)Sen. Elizabeth WarrenCraft Ventures+1 morecryptoethics-waiverconflict-of-interestregulatory-capture
President Trump signed an executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, committing the U.S. government to stockpile Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana, and Cardano. The reserve will be capitalized through forfeited assets and aims to position the U.S. as a global leader in cryptocurrency …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationTreasury DepartmentU.S. Department of Commercecryptostrategic-reservedigital-assetstrump-administration
Financial Times analysis finds Trump’s crypto projects netted $350 million through March 2025, with $314 million from direct sales and $36 million in fees, while roughly half of top TRUMP holders received coins from exchanges rejecting U.S. customers.
Donald TrumpWorld Liberty FinancialCIC Digital LLCcryptorevenueforeign-investmentfinancial-disclosure
Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund MGX committed $2 billion to Trump’s World Liberty Financial stablecoin project, representing massive foreign government investment in sitting president’s business.
Abu Dhabi MGXWorld Liberty FinancialDonald Trumpcryptoforeign-investmentemolumentssovereign-wealth
SEC put fraud case against crypto mogul Justin Sun on hold after he invested $75 million in Trump’s World Liberty Financial project. Original lawsuit charged Sun with selling unregistered securities and market manipulation of Tronix token. Trump family reportedly earned up to $56 million (75% …
SECJustin SunWorld Liberty Financialcryptoenforcement-droppedforeign-influencequid-pro-quo
The SEC moved to pause its civil fraud case against cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, a key adviser to Trump’s World Liberty Financial, signaling a potential negotiated resolution. Sun, who invested at least $75 million in Trump-linked crypto assets, appears to have secured a temporary …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationJustin SunSECcryptocorruptionregulatory-capturegovernment-contractssec+1 more
The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance announced that meme coins, including Trump’s $TRUMP token, are classified as ‘collectibles’ and not subject to federal securities laws, creating a significant regulatory precedent in cryptocurrency classification.
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSECSEC Division of Corporation Financecryptoregulatory-capturefinancial-innovationtrump-tokens
The SEC closed its investigation into Robinhood’s crypto division on February 24, 2025, without taking any enforcement action. Robinhood Chief Legal Officer Dan Gallagher claimed the investigation ’never should have been opened,’ marking a significant moment in the Trump …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationDan GallagherRobinhood Crypto Divisioncryptoregulatory-capturetrump-administrationsecfintech
The SEC agreed to drop its two-year lawsuit against Coinbase, marking a potential shift in the regulatory agency’s approach to cryptocurrency exchanges. Initially filed in June 2023, the lawsuit accused Coinbase of operating an unregistered securities exchange. The dismissal came after …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationGary GenslerSECCoinbase Global Inc.cryptoregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationsecfinancial-regulation
After crypto company Consensys donated $100,000 to President Trump’s inaugural fund, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped a case pending against the firm.
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President Donald Trump rebrands himself as the ‘crypto president’ through multiple cryptocurrency ventures, including World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a $TRUMP meme coin, and American Bitcoin, while also establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve through an executive order.
Donald TrumpEric TrumpDonald Trump Jr.Barron TrumpZach Witkoffcryptotrump-businessdigital-assetsexecutive-power
Early $TRUMP cryptocurrency insiders made millions of dollars, and Trump and his family pocketed nearly $100 million in fees, while over 800,000 investors lost a combined $2 billion
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcryptogovernment-contracts
World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance project linked to Trump’s family, strategically acquired approximately $55 million worth of Ether (ETH) following market disruptions caused by Trump’s brief tariff imposition on Mexico and Canada. This purchase was part of a larger pattern …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationWorld Liberty Financialcryptogovernment-contractsmarket-manipulationtrump-business
Over 70 Trump administration officials and nominees reported cryptocurrency holdings totaling at least $193 million, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent disclosing $250,000-$500,000 in digital assets before divesting to avoid conflicts of interest.
Top 25 investors in $TRUMP memecoin attended private reception with President Trump, receiving $100,000 crypto-themed Trump watches. Justin Sun, the biggest $TRUMP coin holder, attended the dinner. The event sparked an ethics investigation by Senator Blumenthal, who alleged this represented an …
Donald TrumpJustin SunFight Fight Fight LLCRichard Blumenthalcryptotrump-coinpay-to-playpresidential-accessinsider-trading+1 more
Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) announced the launch of Truth.Fi, a new FinTech brand targeting ‘America First’ investment vehicles, including customized ETFs, separately managed accounts, and cryptocurrency investments. The strategic move involves a $250 million investment …
Donald TrumpDevin NunesTrump Media & Technology Groupcryptomedia-controlfinancial-captureetftrump-media
Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, worth $1 billion from husband’s Intercontinental Exchange empire, takes office despite 2020 insider trading scandal. The Senate confirmed her 52-46 on February 19, 2025, despite ongoing concerns about financial conflicts of interest.
kelly-loefflerintercontinental-exchangesbajeffrey-sprecherkelly-loefflerinsider-tradingsbaconflict-of-interestcovid-profiteering+3 more
Chinese-born crypto billionaire Justin Sun invested $75 million in World Liberty Financial (WLF) through staged investments, simultaneously facing SEC fraud investigations. The investment coincided with the SEC pausing legal proceedings against Sun, raising questions about potential political …
Justin SunWorld Liberty FinancialSECDonald TrumpSenator Richard Blumenthal+1 moreforeign-influencecryptosec-investigationworld-liberty-financialchina+2 more
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick refuses to recuse from Trump’s Digital Asset Working Group despite maintaining a $600 million stake in Tether, a cryptocurrency under DOJ investigation. Multiple sources, including Senator Elizabeth Warren’s office, highlight Lutnick’s significant …
howard-lutnickCantor FitzgeraldtetherDepartment of JusticeDepartment of Commerce+1 morehoward-lutnicktethercryptomoney-launderingconflict-of-interest+4 more
Melania Trump launched $MELANIA memecoin on January 19, 2025, hours before inauguration, causing her husband’s $TRUMP coin to crash 40%. The token reached $13 and a $2.15 billion market cap before dropping below $5. Financial Times later revealed 24 wallets bought $2.6 million worth two …
Melania TrumpDonald TrumpAnonymous traders (24 wallets)Trump Familycryptoconflict-of-interestmonetizationmemecoininsider-trading+2 more
Melania Trump launched her $MELANIA cryptocurrency two days after Donald Trump’s coin, with highly suspicious trading patterns. Trading data reveals that just 24 wallets rapidly purchased massive amounts of Melania tokens immediately after launch, netting a combined $99.6 million windfall …
Melania TrumpCryptocurrency tradersWorld Liberty FinancialSen. Chris Murphycryptomelania-trumpinsider-tradingfinancial-corruptionmemecoin+3 more
Trump launched a cryptocurrency memecoin right before his inauguration to make millions of dollars, then increased the value of those coins by signing executive orders making crypto a priority. He also launched a meme coin for Melania Trump.
Donald TrumpMelania Trumptrump-memecoincorruptiontrump-coinfinancial-conflictsmarket-manipulation+11 more
Cryptocurrency firms donated an unprecedented $18 million to Trump’s 2025 inaugural fund, with Ripple’s $4.9 million being the second-largest contribution overall. Major companies including Coinbase, Kraken, Circle, and Robinhood participated, signaling their expectation of a …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationCoinbaseKrakenRipple+3 morecryptogovernment-contractsregulatory-capturecampaign-financetech-industry-donations