🌍 This Week in Web3forGood
Trump’s Memecoin Launch: What It Means for Crypto and Beyond
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This week brought significant developments across the Web3 landscape, including yesterday’s White House Executive Order on digital financial technology to the SEC’s reversal of critical guidance. Both pave the way for much needed regulation and pave the way for responsible US innovation in Web3. But before that, late last week, the launch of the $TRUMP memecoin by the Trump family (they hold an 80% stake) sparked debates that extend far beyond blockchain enthusiasts.
We’re unpacking this pivotal moment: what exactly happened / what was the $TRUMP memecoin launch anyways, the implications, the opportunities and risks it poses for the futures of crypto and politics, and how us changemakers in Web3 can stay aligned with the movement’s core values.
Our take on this memecoin saga? It’s a sobering reminder of the risks of speculation and corruption. But it also presents a crucial opportunity for us as an industry to define what we stand for.
We still believe: at its heart, blockchain tech is built to empower individuals, foster financial inclusion, and provide transparent, decentralized alternatives to traditional systems.
This is why we’re here. What about you?
WAGMI (we are going to make an impact!)
What’s Inside
🌊 Trump’s Memecoin Launch: What It Means for Crypto and Beyond
📣 Latest News
📚 What We’re Thinking About
🔈 Podcasts & Spaces
🚀 Opportunities & Calls to Act
🎪 Events
📡 On Our Radar
✨ And one more thing
🌊 Trump’s Memecoin Launch: What It Means for Crypto and Beyond
On the cusp of his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump unveiled $TRUMP, a cryptocurrency memecoin. While memecoins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu are often associated with internet humor and speculative trading, $TRUMP stands apart—not just because of its astronomical valuation, but because of its unprecedented intersection of politics and finance.
This move sparked a media frenzy. Major exchanges rushed to list it, and billions of dollars in trading volume have flowed into its liquidity pool. Yet, the coin’s structure—80% of its supply controlled by Trump-affiliated entities—has raised significant ethical and regulatory concerns.
Why Does This Matter?
The launch of $TRUMP signals a profound moment for the crypto industry, reflecting broader questions about its direction and societal impact.
Crypto’s Identity Crisis: At its core, blockchain technology promises financial empowerment, transparency, and decentralization. Yet, $TRUMP represents a growing trend of speculative assets overshadowing these ideals, leaving many wondering if the industry is losing its way.
Ethical Overreach in Politics: This is the first time a U.S. president has launched a personal financial product while poised to take office. Critics argue that Trump’s dual roles as both a policymaker and a businessperson blur the line between governance and self-interest, creating potential conflicts of interest.
Policy and Market Implications: With Trump’s influence over crypto policy likely to grow, his personal financial stake raises questions about whether regulations will be shaped to favor certain projects or players, eroding trust in both crypto and public institutions.
What are the arguments FOR this?
Despite the concerns, $TRUMP’s launch isn’t without potential benefits to some:
Bringing Crypto to the Masses: Trump commands global attention. By associating himself with crypto, he could introduce new audiences to blockchain technology, potentially driving adoption.
Permissionless Innovation: One of crypto’s founding principles is that anyone, regardless of status, can participate. Trump launching a memecoin, for all its controversy, is an embodiment of this ethos.
What are the arguments AGAINST this?
The risks posed by $TRUMP cannot be overstated:
Market Manipulation: With 80% of the supply controlled by Trump-affiliated entities, the potential for insider manipulation looms large. This structure could harm retail investors if insiders dump their holdings.
Damage to Crypto’s Reputation: Memecoins are already criticized as gambling vehicles. Adding a political figure’s direct involvement risks cementing perceptions of the industry as rife with scams and conflicts of interest.
Political Fallout: If $TRUMP fails or is seen as exploitative, it could provoke backlash not only against Trump but also against the broader crypto sector, possibly inviting stricter regulation.
A Defining Moment for Crypto
Trump’s $TRUMP memecoin is a cultural flashpoint, reflecting both the disruptive power and fragility of the crypto industry. It has captured global attention but for all the wrong reasons. At its heart, blockchain technology was never about creating speculative coins or fueling pump-and-dump schemes. It was built to empower individuals, foster financial inclusion, and provide transparent, decentralized alternatives to traditional systems.
$TRUMP runs counter to these ideals. Instead of leveraging blockchain to solve real-world problems—like cross-border remittances, unbanked populations, or secure digital identities—it epitomizes a short-term, profit-driven mentality that risks overshadowing the transformative potential of this technology.
The crypto industry must ask itself: What story do we want to tell? While permissionless innovation allows anyone to participate, it also demands responsibility. If blockchain becomes synonymous with insider manipulation and speculative assets, its revolutionary promise may be dismissed as mere hype.
This moment serves as a critical reminder to refocus on the principles that have always defined blockchain’s potential: creating open, fair, and transparent systems that prioritize empowerment over enrichment. Crypto is not about chasing headlines or political endorsements—it’s about building a better financial future. Whether $TRUMP becomes a cautionary tale or a turning point depends on we choose to respond.
How should those of us who want to use Web3ForGood respond to the launch of $TRUMP?
1. Reaffirm the Core Principles of Blockchain
At its heart, blockchain tech was designed to promote decentralization, transparency, and inclusivity. The industry needs to refocus on building solutions that align with these principles rather than enabling speculative and centralized ventures.
Projects and thought leaders should actively highlight successful blockchain applications—such as decentralized finance (DeFi), transparent charitable giving, or identity management for underserved communities—that showcase the technology’s positive impact on society.
2. Educate Newcomers
$TRUMP highlights how crypto’s speculative appeal can overshadow its purpose, often attracting users unfamiliar with its risks and benefits. Education is more important than ever.
Public Awareness Campaigns: We need to create more initiatives to educate newcomers about the risks of speculative investments and the broader potential of blockchain.
Accessible Resources: We must prioritize educational content that focuses on how blockchain can be used beyond trading and speculation. We need more platforms like SheFi, Kernel, and Crypto Altruism.
3. Challenge Celebrity and Political Opportunism
It should go without saying, but if our goal is to use blockchain tech to help others, we need to avoid enabling or endorsing projects that exclusively exploit blockchain for personal gain. While decentralization means anyone can launch a project, exchanges and key players have a responsibility to scrutinize listings and partnerships. High-profile endorsements like $TRUMP should not overshadow legitimate projects that align with blockchain’s core values.
4. Advocate for Balanced Regulation
The $TRUMP memecoin risks provoking a regulatory backlash, particularly if retail investors face significant losses. The crypto industry must actively participate in shaping regulation that protects consumers without stifling innovation. Now is the time to engage in productive dialogue with policy makers with the goal of establishing fair rules that prevent insider manipulation and promote transparency. We need to be proactive about consumer protection, and embrace the development of safeguards, such as mandatory risk disclosures, that inform users before they invest in speculative assets.
5. Highlight Real-World Impact
Amid the noise of memecoins and market speculation, we must continue to amplify stories of blockchain being used for good. Stories like:
Using blockchain to provide transparent aid distribution in disaster-stricken regions.
Enabling cross-border payments for individuals excluded from traditional financial systems.
Funding climate initiatives through decentralized mechanisms.
By consistently showcasing meaningful use cases, the industry can remind the public—and ourselves—what blockchain is truly capable of achieving.
6. Foster Ethical Leadership
Leaders within the industry must take a stand against projects that undermine the credibility of blockchain. This involves challenging opportunistic ventures, holding peers accountable, and promoting a culture of ethical innovation. Thought leaders should steer the conversation toward responsible growth and long-term value creation rather than opportunistic profiteering.
Final Thoughts
The $TRUMP memecoin saga is a stark reminder of the risks of speculation and celebrity-driven ventures in crypto. But it also provides a crucial opportunity for the industry to define what it stands for. By recommitting to its foundational values and addressing its vulnerabilities head-on, blockchain can move past these distractions and refocus on its transformative potential.
The world is watching—and our response as an industry will shape the narrative for years to come. Will we embrace the promise of decentralization, fairness, and empowerment, or will we allow all that we believe in to be reduced to a vehicle for hype and enrichment? The choice is clear, and the time to act is now.
📚 Further Reading:
Trump’s ‘Official’ Memecoin Skyrockets to $24 Billion Valuation Within Hours
$TRUMP Isn't the Future of Crypto. You Are.
📣 Latest News
Global Policy, Regulation, and Adoption News
Project Updates
📚 What We’re Thinking About
🔎 Digesting Trump's Executive Order on Digital Assets. (DeFi Education Fund)
🪙 US CBDC ‘is dead’ under Trump, but stablecoins could be set to explode. (Cointelegraph)
🛒 How Haraka and Mento Labs are shaping emerging markets. (Mento Labs)
🌲 Bitcoin Mining & The Environment: The Positive Externalities. (MARA)
📈 The Year of Tokenization: Key Trends and Insights from 2024 (Superstate)
👭 Is there too much collaboration and not enough building in ReFi? (CARBON Copy)
🧙 Big centralized platforms twiddle the dials on our internet experience, while preventing users from configuring their own experience. It’s a key source of the “enshittification” of the internet. (Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web)
📣 Data cooperatives could enable individuals and communities to have a voice, choice, and stake in the digital economy. (The Decentralization Research Center and Project Liberty Institute)
🚩 The economic arguments for why markets are so great for "regular" goods and services do not extend to "markets for political influence". (@vitalik)
🔈 Podcasts & Spaces
Crypto Altruism Podcast - Episode 188 - Blockchain Founders Fund - Building in Web3: Lessons from Supporting 180 Crypto Startups
🚀 Opportunities & Calls to Act
Apply: Molecule and Bio Protocol are hiring for a number of roles.
Apply: Roots of Progress is hiring an Events Manager.
Apply: Join the Atlantis Ambassador Program to be a part of a global movement for sustainability and impact.
Funding: Stellar Community Fund 6.1 leverages community input to fund and support teams building on Stellar.
Accelerate: Crypto Startup Accelerator (CSX) is a program run by a16z for early-stage startups building with blockchain technologies. The Spring 2025 cohort will be held in person in San Francisco from April 1 to June 3.
Nominate: The Loving on Public Goods QF Round by Giveth kicks off Jan 28 with a 100,000 $USDGLO matching pool—their biggest ever. Nominate a project here.
Attend: The Finnish Consulate and All Tech is Human will host a curated gathering in NYC this May for 75 key leaders across civil society, government, industry, and academia who are focused on strengthening multistakeholder collaboration around Responsible AI. Apply to attend.
Support: All Tech Is Human's 2025 Responsible AI Governance workshop series + task forces are looking for organizations and individuals throughout the ATIH community who are interested in supporting their work, sponsoring these initiatives, partnering, and participating as they host workshops and convene task forces dedicated to tackling some of the thorny tech and society issues that arose during and in the wake of their recent AI governance workshop, supported by IBM Research.
Build: The Celo SF Builder Residency is a six-week program to work w/ Celo's founders & cutting-edge teams shaping the future of the ecosystem.
🎪 Events
🆕= New to the roundup this week
Virtual
Epoch 7 - The Climate Round spaces hosted by Octant with The Climate Coordination Network is happening January 29. 🆕
@civilmonkey’s Curated X Spaces focus on using Web3 for positive impact in the real world (+ recordings).
IRL
ETHiopia in happening now through February 21 in Addis Ababa.
Oasis Oncahin is happening January 30 - February 2 in Nassau, Bahamas.
Africa Tech Summit is happening February 12-13 in Nairobi.
ETHDenver is happening February 23 - March 2 in Denver.
The Stable Summit is happening February 26 in Denver. 🆕
SheFi Summit is happening February 26 in Denver.
Schelling Point is happening February 27 in Denver.
Ethereum San Francisco Week 2025 is happening March 10-16 across San Francisco.
FIL Dev Summit 6 is happening May 12-13 in Toronto.
All Tech Is Human x Consulate General of Finland New York will host a curated gathering on strengthening multistakeholder collaboration in Responsible AI on May 21st in NYC. 🆕
Recurring
Monthly Earth Day is a global event that happens on the 22nd every month, not just once a year. Get involved next on February 22 and share on X to @HighlyArtistic with the hashtag #MonthlyEarthDay.
Hosting an event that you’d like to see listed? Reply here or send us a DM.
📡 On Our Radar
MARA leverages digital asset compute to support the energy transformation.
Etherealize is a newly launched an institutional product, BD, and marketing arm for the Ethereum ecosystem.
Art Links is a blockchain based art connection game ft over 140 works of art from the The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. It’s the MET’s first blockchain initiative.
✨ And One More Thing
Check out this DeSci Ecosystem Map from BSCDaily. (It’s missing AthenaDAO — special shoutout to their team, who belongs here!)
