Trump's Crypto Windfall Sparks Conflict of Interest Fears

Recent financial disclosures reveal that former US President Donald Trump made over $1 billion in 2025 from cryptocurrency-related activities, including selling new crypto products and meme coins. This comes at a time when the US president's policies on crypto have become increasingly favorable, with regulation cut and federal rules for stablecoin introduced.

The Trump family has denied any conflict of interest, stating that his business interests are managed by his sons while in office. However, critics argue that this raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Crypto's influence on global politics is growing, with governments struggling to regulate the industry. Eliza Lockhart, a senior research fellow at the Centre for Finance and Security, notes that 'crypto is becoming increasingly significant in politics, not just as a form of political donation, but as a well-resourced industry seeking to shape regulation.'

A 2025 report from Chainalysis found that European extremist groups' use of cryptocurrencies is catching up to that of those in the United States. The UK has introduced a temporary ban on political donations made by cryptocurrency, bringing it in line with countries like Brazil and Ireland.