While Washington, D.C. was welcoming large crowds for President Donald Trump’s inauguration one year ago, the cryptocurrency market welcomed a series of new Trump family-themed meme coins.
Out of the digital assets unleashed for the Republican’s return to the White House, none drew more attention than OFFICIAL TRUMP (TRUMP), which soared an impressive 464% from its initial price of about $6 to approximately $37 on January 23, 2025, and then above $44 two days later.
The meme coin was especially popular thanks to its direct association with the returning commander-in-chief, but also due to the apparent guarantee that the President would not sell in the form of a months-long lock period.
Here’s how much a $1,000 investment in TRUMP would have crashed
Despite the initial upsurge and the face-value guarantee, buying TRUMP would not have been the savviest investment decision except in the extreme short term. Had a trader purchased $1,000 at the earliest possible date – already on January 17, 2025 – they would have only $810 remaining at press time on January 23, 2026.
Those who waited fared even worse. An equal investment made on Inauguration Day at approximately $37 would have led to $868 in losses, with only $132 of the original investment remaining.
Indeed, OFFICIAL TRUMP coin is down 83.19% in the all-time chart if only the closing prices are accounted for, and is, at press time in early 2026, changing hands at $4.86.
At the time, in early 2025, some of the more generous observers noted TRUMP can be viewed as a novel type of commemorative coin. Simultaneously, however, such a comparison reveals that newer is not necessarily better.
Could a Gold or Silver ‘Trump coin’ have been better?
If the President opted for a more traditional type of token – one made of an ounce of gold or silver – the situation for ardent Trump supporters would have been dramatically different.
Indeed, a hypothetical gold Trump commemorative coin would have been worth $2,770 on January 20, 2025, and $4,933 at press time in 2026.
A somewhat less glamorous silver coin would have, in terms of value, performed even more impressively as it would have risen 219% from $31 to $99.
A $1,000 2025 investment in DJT stock 1 year ago would have lost
Lastly, and continuing the trend, investors reluctant to participate in the cryptocurrency market but desiring to benefit from the Trump brand under the current administration would have also stepped on a mine had they purchased Trump Media & Technology (NASDAQ: DJT) stock.
DJT equity – popular as a way of betting on the victor of the latest election through much of 2024 – remained on a decisive downtrend since the billionaire politician took office.
Specifically, an investor would be purchasing Trump Media stock at $40 right before, or at $33 right after the inauguration, and selling at $14.69 at press time one year later for a total loss of either 63.05% or 54.78%.
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