Trump cost investors $4.7B through crypto ‘schemes’: Public Citizen
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Written by
Simonas Brazionis - Updated 2026-08-30 20:53:11
A report from the nonprofit consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen indicates that former US President Donald Trump cost investors $4.7B through his and his family’s digital asset ventures since 2022. These ventures include the Trump family World Liberty Financial governance token, nonfungible token (NFT) trading cards launched in 2022, the Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin, and Trump Media’s digital asset treasury.
The majority of the estimated losses, approximately $3.2 billion, stemmed from investments in the TRUMP memecoin. Public Citizen noted that in this instance, the losses represented a transfer of wealth to early buyers rather than a complete disappearance of funds.
Trump's Personal Earnings from Crypto Ventures
Public Citizen’s report also detailed earnings for Donald Trump amidst these investor losses. He reportedly earned $7.2 million from NFT licensing fees and royalties, over $600 million from World Liberty token sales and an equity stake, $635 million in licensing fees for his memecoin, and $197 million in revenue from capital contributions to World Liberty.
Some of these figures were included in the president’s 2025 disclosures, which reported $1.4 billion in earnings tied to crypto.
Public Citizen's Call for Ethics Provisions
In light of these crypto ventures, Public Citizen reiterated its call for ethics provisions within a cryptocurrency market structure bill, specifically the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act. The organization asserted that a president’s policy choices and personal financial interests are inseparable and that any legislation should mandate divestment from industry projects by a US president and their family. For those interested in digital assets, exploring the best crypto cards can offer practical ways to engage with the market.
Donald Trump recently met with crypto executives, advocating for a “fair version” of the CLARITY Act to pass when the Senate reconvenes next month. The bill is scheduled for a cloture vote on September 15, requiring at least 60 senatorial votes to advance.
