President Coin One-Year Anniversary: From Trump's Mythical 200 Billion Dollar 8-Hour Express to Over 90% Value Loss Despair

Generated by AI AgentNyra FeldonReviewed byShunan Liu
Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 9:49 pm ET2min read
Aime RobotAime Summary

- Trump's

meme coin surged to $20B FDV in 8 hours, then collapsed to $5.3B by 2026, highlighting political influence on crypto markets.

- Social media speculation and Trump's Truth Social endorsement drove volatility, while meme coins like PEPE and

saw 2026 rebounds after 2025 failures.

- Market analysts warn of hype-driven risks as TRUMP's $770B peak eroded, with Binance halting

withdrawals amid trading frenzy.

- MELANIA coin surged 50% in 2026 amid

documentary speculation, outperforming as meme coin open interest rose 85%.

- Experts debate sustainability of "Presidential Coin Offerings," urging caution over meme coins' volatility and lack of intrinsic value.

Donald Trump’s

coin surged in value within eight hours of its launch on January 18, 2025, reaching a fully diluted valuation (FDV) of $20 billion before plummeting to below $5.3 in 2026 . The token initially drew significant attention, with rumors of a hacked account driving a 50% price drop within an hour of the launch . By 11:22 a.m., TRUMP briefly hit a FDV of $4 billion, peaking at $10 billion within 3 hours .

The TRUMP token became a cultural and economic phenomenon, highlighting the growing intersection between politics and cryptocurrency. Its launch marked the first major "Presidential Coin Offering," sparking discussions on the influence of political figures in speculative markets

. The token’s rapid rise and fall have led to questions about the sustainability of hype-driven crypto projects .

The TRUMP token was not alone in the meme coin frenzy. Other tokens, such as

and , also saw a resurgence in early 2026 after a challenging 2025 where over 11.6 million crypto projects failed . Meme coins rebounded with increased market capitalization and trading volumes .

Why Did This Happen?

The TRUMP token’s initial surge was fueled by speculation and social media trends, with rumors of a hacked account amplifying volatility

. Trump’s endorsement of the token on Truth Social shortly after its launch quelled fears and drove a brief surge in value . The token’s FDV reached $770 billion in its peak period, although that value has since eroded .

The token’s performance highlights the risks associated with meme coins, which often lack intrinsic value and are heavily influenced by market sentiment and political dynamics

. The rapid rise and fall of TRUMP has raised concerns about the long-term viability of such projects .

How Did Markets Respond?

The TRUMP token’s surge triggered broader market volatility, with Binance suspending SOL withdrawals amid intense trading activity

. The token’s performance also influenced other meme coins, with PEPE, BONK, and seeing significant gains in early 2026 .

Meanwhile, a related meme coin, MELANIA, also gained traction, rising 50% in early 2026 amid speculation around a forthcoming Amazon documentary

. Open interest in the coin increased by 85%, signaling strong speculative demand . MELANIA’s surge outperformed major cryptocurrencies like and .

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring the broader implications of Trump’s influence on the crypto market. The rapid rise and fall of TRUMP has sparked debates about the role of hype in digital asset markets and whether such projects can sustain long-term value

.

Market participants are also assessing whether the current meme coin rebound is a sign of broader altcoin rotation or merely short-term speculation

. The resurgence of meme coins has reignited discussions about their potential as investment vehicles .

Investors are advised to approach meme coins with caution, given their volatility and lack of fundamental value

. The sector remains highly speculative, with open interest and trading volume serving as key indicators of market sentiment .

TRUMP currently trades at $5.3 with a market capitalization of $24.5 billion and a FDV of $53 billion

. The token’s trajectory has underscored the challenges of balancing hype with sustainable value creation in the crypto space .

The broader market is also tracking developments in U.S. trade policy, as President Trump has announced new tariffs on eight European nations over Greenland-related issues

. These moves could further impact global trade and investor sentiment .

Investors are advised to monitor regulatory developments and market trends in the meme coin sector, as the sector remains highly volatile

. The performance of TRUMP and related tokens will likely continue to influence broader crypto market dynamics .