Trump Family’s Crypto Push Raises Eyebrows

In a political climate already brimming with division and economic unease, the Trump family’s expanding presence in the cryptocurrency sector is drawing sharp criticism.

Watchdogs and financial experts alike are voicing concern over what appears to be a merging of political power and private investment. At the centre of this shift is Donald Trump himself—once a vocal critic of crypto, now one of its most high-profile backers.

From Sceptic to Supporter

Only a few years ago, Trump derided digital assets as a “scam” and “a disaster waiting to happen”. Fast-forward to 2025, and he’s singing a very different tune—regularly hailing crypto at campaign rallies as “the future of freedom” and “a hedge against Biden’s economic failure”.

It’s not just talk. Trump’s inner circle is now deeply embedded in the industry. His son, Donald Trump Jr., is reportedly involved in several blockchain projects, while Jared Kushner is believed to be backing a crypto infrastructure venture with Middle Eastern and Silicon Valley investors.

Deregulation on the Table

This pivot comes as Trump-aligned Republicans push sweeping deregulation of the crypto space.

Legislation is being tabled to strip oversight powers from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)—long criticised by the industry for its aggressive stance—and hand them to the more lenient Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Industry groups are cheering the move. But financial experts and political opponents warn of serious risks.

“This is classic regulatory capture,” said Marcus Ellison, policy director at the Centre for Financial Integrity. “You’ve got lawmakers changing the rules in favour of industries their families are profiting from. That’s not reform—it’s corruption.”

Trump Inc. Meets Crypto

According to The Guardian, a growing network of shell companies linked to the Trump family is investing across the crypto landscape—from NFTs and stablecoins to private equity funds eyeing distressed exchanges.

A whistleblower from the SEC has reportedly raised concerns about unusual trading patterns and possible insider dealings involving entities tied to Trump Jr. and Kushner.

While no formal investigations have been launched, scrutiny is mounting. Ivanka Trump, while not publicly active in crypto, is listed as a passive investor in at least two blockchain-related ventures.

A Boon or a Bubble?

To Trump’s supporters, this is bold leadership.

“President Trump gets it. Blockchain is freedom tech,” said a spokesperson for the American Digital Future PAC. “While Democrats try to stifle innovation, he’s clearing the way for a digital renaissance.”

But to critics, the parallels with the 2008 financial crisis are hard to ignore.

“We’ve seen this movie before—insiders rewriting the rules and pocketing the profits while everyone else carries the risk,” said Dr Lydia Kim, a finance lecturer at Georgetown University. “Now it’s happening on the blockchain.”

Crypto on the Ballot

As the 2024 US election heats up, crypto is emerging as an unlikely political flashpoint.

Trump has begun accepting campaign donations in Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, and is reportedly drafting a “Crypto Bill of Rights” for his second-term agenda.

Democrats are split. Some, like Congressman Robert Garcia, advocate for a balanced approach that supports innovation while protecting investors. Others favour keeping the SEC in control, citing fears of another FTX-style collapse.

What’s Next?

With billions at stake and the Trump family positioned to gain from every regulatory shift, questions around ethics, transparency and political accountability are louder than ever.

Is this the dawn of a more open, tech-driven financial era—or the start of a new gilded age, with power players rewriting the rules in their own favour?

One thing is certain: crypto is no longer on the fringes. It’s now firmly entangled in the machinery of American power—and the Trump name is right at the heart of it.