Trump's $1.4B Crypto Haul Tests Ethics and Market Confidence

Watchdog groups call the revenue exploitative profiteering. Their argument: Trump shapes cryptocurrency policy while collecting industry profits. His administration is involved in talks on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. A proposal to ban central bank digital currencies also awaits his signature.

Mary Trump, the president's niece, told CNN: "Donald is once again pushing the envelope and nobody is putting the brakes on it." She said people who invested in Trump-linked projects may have lost real money.

Bitcoin has fallen about 50% from its October peak above $126,000. The broader crypto market has been under pressure through early 2026.

The industry has ramped up political spending. After an estimated $170 million in the 2024 cycle, crypto-aligned groups have donated $189 million to 2026 races through June, according to Public Citizen data. That makes up most of the $294 million deployed by crypto, AI, tech and digital gambling firms this cycle.

The entire House and 35 Senate seats are on the ballot in 2026. Trump's term runs through January 2029.

Trump once called Bitcoin a "scam" after his first term. He reversed that stance before the 2024 election, building ties with major crypto industry leaders.