Trump took in about $1.2 billion from crypto businesses last year, financial disclosure shows
PBS NewsHour – Politics — 2026-06-30 19:15:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump’s Crypto Windfall: President’s Profits Soar While Investors Suffer Losses
President Donald Trump’s personal fortune has surged since taking office, fueled by a wave of new crypto ventures and overseas property deals, according to a federal disclosure released Tuesday. The report reveals that Trump took in nearly $1.2 billion from his cryptocurrency businesses last year—locking in profits even as many investors lost money.
Crypto Profits and Investor Losses
The disclosure shows Trump’s World Liberty Financial business generated over $500 million from selling new crypto products, including “governance tokens.” Another Trump-affiliated company, CIC Digital LLC, brought in more than $600 million from sales of “meme” coins featuring Trump’s likeness. Both the tokens and coins have since plunged in value, leaving buyers with steep losses.
Despite warnings from regulators that these tokens offered no ownership stake and were difficult to value, sales soared, driven in part by billionaire investors. The price of the Trump-branded meme coin, for example, spiked to over $74 shortly after launch but now trades at just $1.68. World Liberty tokens have lost 80% of their value since debuting in September.
Trump’s Response and Conflict of Interest Concerns
Trump has insisted that his finances are managed by his sons and that there are no conflicts of interest, rejecting the protections put in place by previous presidents. The White House maintains that Trump acts solely in the public interest and that his business dealings overseas are with private companies, not foreign governments.
However, the disclosure paints a different picture. Many of Trump’s overseas properties—now his fastest-growing source of revenue—are in countries negotiating with the U.S. on sensitive issues like tariffs and military aid. In Vietnam, for example, Trump’s company received $5 million for a new resort after the ruling communist party’s deputy prime minister signed off on the deal, which reportedly displaced local farmers. Following the deal, Vietnam received tariff relief from the U.S.
Unprecedented Presidential Profiteering
Trump also made millions last year from selling Trump-branded bibles, sneakers, and watches—an unprecedented move for a sitting president. The sale of watches alone brought in $4.7 million.
Forbes now estimates Trump’s net worth at $6 billion, up from $2.3 billion in 2024. The explosive growth in his wealth has been driven by policy moves from his own administration that benefited his businesses, raising ongoing questions about conflicts of interest and the impact of his decisions on U.S. policy.
Conclusion
President Trump’s personal financial gains from crypto and global real estate have soared during his time in office, even as many investors in his ventures have suffered heavy losses. While Trump and the White House insist there are no conflicts of interest, the federal disclosure highlights the unprecedented intertwining of presidential power and private profit. The full consequences for investors—and for American democracy—remain to be seen.