On April 11, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is gearing up for a critical moment as the Trump Official Memecoin ($TRUMP), launched by President Donald Trump, faces a $320 million token unlock set for April 18. This unlock, covering 20% of the token’s total supply, comes as $TRUMP struggles with an 89% drop from its peak earlier this year. This article explores the stakes of this event, the trajectory of the TRUMP token, and what crypto investors should expect in the volatile memecoin arena.
A Rapid Rise, Then a Sharp Fall
The TRUMP memecoin burst onto the Solana blockchain in January 2025, just before Trump’s inauguration. Promoted through Trump’s Truth Social and X platforms, the token—marketed as his “official” memecoin—surged to a market capitalization of nearly $15 billion in just two days, becoming the fastest-growing memecoin in crypto history. It peaked at $75.35, driven by widespread hype and listings on exchanges like Binance and Coinbase. However, its value has since plummeted, trading at about $8 as of April 11, 2025, down 89%, according to market data.
Source: CoinGecko
The decline stems from multiple issues. Trump’s tariff policies unsettled global markets, impacting crypto assets broadly. The launch of MELANIA, a second memecoin by First Lady Melania Trump, sparked community backlash, with accusations that the Trump team diluted TRUMP’s value for profit. Reports show 813,000 wallets have lost nearly $2 billion since the token’s debut, highlighting the risks of memecoins tied to high-profile figures.
The $320M Unlock Looms Large
The upcoming token unlock will release 40 million $TRUMP tokens, valued at $320 million, boosting the circulating supply by 20%. These tokens are largely allocated to the Trump team, including CIC Digital LLC and Fight Fight Fight LLC, linked to The Trump Organization. This unlock dominates next week’s $519 million in total unlocks, outpacing others like Fast Token ($80.6 million) and Arbitrum ($27.2 million).
Token unlocks often increase selling pressure, as recipients may sell off their shares, potentially driving prices lower. For TRUMP, already down 89%, this could worsen its challenges. X posts reveal a gloomy outlook, with users warning of a “tough hit” for holders, especially after a 180,000-holder drop since the peak. Some fear the unlock could resemble a “pump-and-dump,” a common memecoin issue where early insiders profit while retail investors face losses.
Broader Market and Ethical Concerns
The TRUMP memecoin initially energized Solana, lifting total value locked to $12 billion and DEX trading volume to $23.7 billion in January 2025. Yet, it exposed vulnerabilities like network congestion and liquidity strains. MoonPay, a key TRUMP onramp, borrowed $160 million from Galaxy Digital and Ripple to manage launch demand, showing how memecoins stress crypto systems.
Ethically, TRUMP has faced scrutiny. In February 2025, claims arose that it was used for illicit foreign donations, raising concerns about unregulated funding channels. The allegations briefly pushed the price up 5.3% to $18.88, but the decline resumed, reflecting ongoing investor caution.
Guidance for Investors
With the $320 million token unlock nearing, TRUMP investors face tough choices. The increased supply could further depress prices in a market wary of Trump’s tariff-driven policies. Memecoins are highly speculative, so caution is essential. Monitoring on-chain data, market sentiment, and Trump team updates will be critical.
The $TRUMP memecoin saga underscores the volatility of celebrity-backed tokens. While it briefly boosted Solana, its crash highlights the risks of hype-driven assets. Crypto investors should tread carefully in the unpredictable memecoin space.
Conclusion
The $320 million $TRUMP token unlock on April 18, 2025, threatens more pressure on a memecoin down 89%. As the cryptocurrency market navigates uncertainty, TRUMP holders must stay vigilant. Watch closely in the volatile world of memecoins!
