In a recent revelation, Donald Trump, the former United States President, seemingly owns digital assets worth between $250,000 and $500,000, as per a filing submitted to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE). Insider crypto circles were intrigued by a ‘Cryptocurrency Wallet (Ethereum)’ in the list, assumedly connected to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) he had launched in the past year.
The Trump-branded NFT trading cards encompassing various avatars of the ex-President, ranging from astronaut to superhero, were enthusiastically pursued by buyers, with first editions selling out within hours. Nevertheless, contemporaneous with Trump’s foray into digital artistry, prior statements he made perceived as disparaging toward cryptocurrencies emerged as a contentious point.
An instance of the ex-President’s lucrative engagement with digital realm followed in April, when another iteration of 47,000 trading cards netted a whopping $4.7 million within six hours of release. Reports suggest that Trump’s digital asset holdings were significantly bolstered through these series, resulting in combined sales to the tune of $8.9 million.
Not to be left behind, Melania Trump, the erstwhile first lady, also made an entrance into the NFT space. She created digital art inspired by popular NASA Apollo moon images, retailing for $75 apiece.
In a seeming volte-face from his previous dismissal of cryptocurrencies as a competing menace for the dollar, Trump now finds himself holding crypto assets. His decision comes at a fascinating juncture, as digital assets become a divisive issue in the upcoming White House bid for 2024.
While various Republicans like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are staunch crypto advocates, promising to terminate the current administration’s severe campaigns against digital currencies, Trump himself has been lackdaisical in expressing support for crypto. However, his recent entry into the NFT market might signal a paradigm shift in his crypto perception.
The crypto community is witnessing a similar embrace by Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who not only publicly backs Bitcoin but is also endeavoring to facilitate its mainstream acceptance by accepting campaign donations in crypto.
Having considered the burgeoning political interest in digital assets, one cannot help but acknowledge the potentially volatile implications of these unfolding dynamics. As current political leaders join the crypto bandwagon, their perceptions towards this innovative technology will undoubtedly shape the future course of digital assets.
Source: Cryptonews
