The potential return of President Donald Trump to the White House appears to be creating new opportunities in the cryptocurrency market. Just two days after the introduction of the $TRUMP meme coin, Melania Trump has also made her own crypto debut.

The Melania Trump meme coin made its market entry on Sunday evening at around 6 p.m., right before Trump’s inauguration. The future first lady announced its launch via a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, inviting users with the message, “You can buy $MELANIA now.”

Initially priced at about $7, the $MELANIA coin increased to approximately $9 by Monday morning, boasting a market capitalization of $1.65 billion, as per CoinMarketCap. This launch is not as remarkable as the $TRUMP coin, which has climbed to around $50 with a market cap close to $10 billion.

Early investors who acquired the $TRUMP coin when its value was just 18 cents likely experienced significant gains. However, it’s important to approach cryptocurrency investments with caution due to their inherent volatility.

David Reibstein, a marketing professor at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, shared insights with YSL News regarding the $TRUMP coin’s introduction: “As seen with other new cryptocurrencies, substantial risks are expected.”

“That said, there is potential for profit,” Reibstein continued. “Consider the volatility of Trump Media, which surged to nearly $100 before plummeting to below $13 and then rebounding to around $40. It’s definitely an investment for the risk-tolerant.”

What’s the Current Value of the Melania Trump Meme Coin?

As of 8 a.m. on Monday, the Melania coin was trading at approximately $9, according to CoinMarketCap. When it launched the previous night, its value was $7.41.

Similar to the Trump coin, the Melania meme coin operates on the Solana blockchain. Presently, about 450,000 investors hold Melania coins, as tracked by SolScan, which monitors Solana-related tokens.

The launch of the Melania coin resulted in a “notable decline” in the value of the Trump coin, raising alarms among industry experts who fear that meme coins could negatively impact the market, according to Forbes’ Siladitya Ray.

Rob Hadick, a partner at crypto venture capital firm Dragonfly Capital, expressed concerns to Bloomberg, stating, “The Trump launches are increasingly viewed as a challenge we need to move past as we build the industry.”

What Exactly is a Meme Coin?

Meme coins are a category of cryptocurrency often inspired by internet memes, typically revolving around popular cultural images or trends. One of the most iconic memes featured the Japanese dog Kabosu, which became widely popular in the early 2010s.

In 2013, the dog’s image was adopted as the face of Dogecoin, which has since become one of the most heavily invested cryptocurrencies, particularly during the retail trading surge linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, the Trump coin ranks as the 18th most valuable cryptocurrency on CoinMarketCap, whereas Dogecoin is in 7th place, and the Melania coin is at 62nd.

The website for the Melania Trump meme coin states that 15% of tokens will be distributed to the public. Overall, 35% of the total supply is reserved for the project’s “team.” These tokens are issued by MKT World, a company registered in West Palm Beach, Florida, which Melania Trump established in 2021, as reported by Forbes.

After a month, 10% of the tokens allocated to the project’s “team” will become accessible. The complete release of tokens is planned over the subsequent 13 months.

With a fully diluted valuation estimated at around $5 billion, the team’s share could amount to approximately $1.5 billion.

Is it Worth Buying the Melania Trump Coin or Trump Coin?

You can purchase the Melania meme coin via its website using a debit card or other cryptocurrencies.

However, if you’re considering an investment, the Melania coin website reminds visitors: “Melania Memes are meant for collecting and entertainment solely. They are not financial instruments or investments. Always conduct your research and avoid investing more than you can afford to lose.”

This may just be the beginning of a wave of cryptocurrency launches throughout Trump’s administration. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to adopt a more crypto-friendly stance, and Trump is exploring the idea of creating a strategic reserve of bitcoin, the first successful digital currency.

Moreover, there’s potential for more meme coins linked to the Trump family, as there are still several family members who may get involved.

Anthony Scaramucci, founder of the alternate asset investment firm Skybridge and noteworthy former White House communications director, expressed his views on X, stating, “The Trump meme coin phenomenon is detrimental to the industry.” He further commented on the launch of the Melania coin, remarking that it is causing the Trump coin to falter. “Which of the kids’ coins will outperform?”

Regarding meme coins, Reibstein stated, “It will be intriguing to see how the regulatory landscape changes under the next President Trump.”

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