7h00 ▪
5
min reading ▪ by
Luc Jose A.
The cryptosphere has just witnessed an unexpected jolt with the launch of MELANIA, the memecoin created by Melania Trump, now First Lady of the United States. Deployed on the Solana blockchain, this token reached a spectacular capitalization of $5 billion in just one hour. This caused a shock wave in the market. Such rapid success, however, had direct consequences on the TRUMP memecoin, associated with Donald Trump, which saw its value plunge by 38%. This event sheds more light on how public figures influence crypto dynamics and asks new questions about the relationship between popularity and blockchain innovation.
The launch of MELANIA, a sensational entry onto the crypto scene
On January 18, Melania Trump announced on her X account, followed by more than 3.2 million subscribers, the launch of her memecoin called MELANIA. This event triggered immediate and massive enthusiasm. Thus, the capitalization of the token was propelled to 5 billion dollars in just one hour. According to the project’s official page, this memecoin was created to “express support and commitment.” Additionally, it clarifies that it is not intended to be an investment product, but rather a representative symbol.
The distribution of the tokens has been defined according to a clear plan: 35% of the tokens are allocated to the team, 20% to the treasury and the community, 15% to the public and 10% to liquidity. However, this organization quickly caused concern. Blockchain analytics firm Bubblemaps revealed that 90% of tokens would be concentrated in a single wallet. This situation has triggered questions about the true decentralization of this crypto project and the transparency of its governance.
TRUMP drifting, the domino effect of Melania’s memecoin
While MELANIA created spectacular enthusiasm, the TRUMP memecoin, associated with Donald Trump, suffered a drastic drop in its value. In just 40 minutes, its capitalization fell from $74.6 billion to $45.9 billion, a drop of 38%. This sudden turnaround reveals the extreme volatility of memecoins, whose value depends as much on market dynamics as on the influence exercised by the public figures who support them.
Such a situation has reignited debates on the viability and legitimacy of these crypto projects. Some analysts see this as an indirect rivalry between the two tokens, which symbolizes a war for influence where the image of public figures plays a decisive role, beyond the technological aspects. Furthermore, the question of regulation remains crucial: how to regulate these highly speculative assets to protect investors?
-Conor Grogan, executive at Coinbase, provided nuanced insight into the MELANIA project. “It is unlikely that MELANIA is a scam (rug pull), but it is possible that it was launched by a less organized team than the one behind the TRUMP token,” he clarified in a publication on the platform X (ex Twitter) on January 19, 2025. This analysis underlines the challenges linked to the governance of these crypto projects, whose credibility is essential for their long -term development.
The future of MELANIA will largely depend on its ability to go beyond simple initial enthusiasm to establish itself as a sustainable player in the memecoin market. Some observers question the true scope of these tokens in the digital strategies of public figures, because they oscillate between a symbolic engagement tool and a potential financing lever. The strong centralization observed and the volatility of the market, however, create doubts about the sustainability of such projects. Thus, the success of MELANIA will determine whether this token can become a milestone in the evolution of cryptos linked to public figures or whether it will remain an ephemeral phenomenon in the memecoin saga.
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Luc Jose A.
A graduate of Sciences Po Toulouse and holder of a blockchain consultant certification issued by Alyra, I joined the Cointribune adventure in 2019. Convinced of the potential of blockchain to transform many sectors of the economy, I took the commitment to raise awareness and inform the general public about this constantly evolving ecosystem. My goal is to enable everyone to better understand blockchain and seize the opportunities it offers. I strive every day to provide an objective analysis of current events, to decipher market trends, to relay the latest technological innovations and to put into perspective the economic and societal issues of this ongoing revolution.
