The Chief Strategist Warns Against Trump's Cryptocurrency

First out was Donald Trump and now his wife Melania has also launched a cryptocurrency. If you think bitcoin is a speculative asset, then this is a number of trips even worse, says Johan Javeus, chief strategist at SEB.

» Published: January 20 2025

The Chief Strategist Warns Against Trump's Cryptocurrency
Photo: Matt Rourke/AP/TT

Both Trump and his wife Melania have announced over the weekend that they are launching their own so-called "meme coins" under the names $Trump and $Melania, respectively.

That the world's most important leader can launch their own cryptocurrency in the industry that his administration is supposed to regulate can be seen as completely unthinkable. However, Johan Javeus notes that it is in line with Trump's complete U-turn from being critical of cryptocurrencies to instead becoming a powerful advocate.

When he and Melania introduce their own "meme coins", it is further evidence that this administration will pursue that kind of policy, he says to TT.

However, criticism is being voiced from various quarters. Robert Næss, Norway's investment chief at Nordea, says in an interview with Dagens Næringsliv that "it is incredible that it is allowed".

There are definitely legitimate questions. Since it is not Trump's first foray into the cryptocurrency market, but he has, for example, launched so-called NTFs during the election campaign, says Javeus.

Trump has pushed the boundaries of what you can do when it comes to commercializing the presidency.

Changes CEO

The launch takes place simultaneously with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is supposed to regulate the market and protect investors, now changing its top executive. Gary Gensler chose to resign, after Trump made it clear that he wanted to get rid of Gensler due to his stance on cryptocurrencies.

It feels quite distant now, says Javeus about the SEC looking into the matter. It is hard to see that they would conduct any investigation.

The presidential couple's launches are not traditional cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, but rather a form of collector's item. In connection with the launch, Trump's side has emphasized that the two should not be seen as an "investment asset".

Has Soared in Value

Despite this, the value of Trump's variant quickly soared, only to fall back on Monday and trade at around $53 at lunchtime, giving a total market value of over $10 billion. The uncertainty surrounding the currencies is, however, the greatest possible, notes Javeus.

I wouldn't even suggest that anyone invest in something like this.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Trump Pressures Fed to Cut
2 MIN READ

Trump Pressures Fed to Cut Rates as Powell Stands Firm on Inflation

US Job Growth Surpasses Expectations
1 MIN READ

US Job Growth Surpasses Expectations with 228,000 New Positions

Busch Urges Swedish Firms to
2 MIN READ

Busch Urges Swedish Firms to Stay Local Amid US Trade Uncertainty

Minister Warns of Global Trade
1 MIN READ

Minister Warns of Global Trade Impact as China Hits Back at US Tariffs

China Hits Back with 34%
2 MIN READ

China Hits Back with 34% Tariffs on US Goods, Files WTO Complaint

Ica Bank Cuts Mortgage Rate
1 MIN READ

Ica Bank Cuts Mortgage Rate to 3.68 Percent

Zuckerberg's Wealth Drops by 177
1 MIN READ

Zuckerberg's Wealth Drops by 177 Billion Kronor in Stock Market Slide

Sweden's New Trade Deal Boosts
1 MIN READ

Sweden's New Trade Deal Boosts Pay and Cuts Working Hours

Police Warn of Crime Surge
1 MIN READ

Police Warn of Crime Surge Risk Following Northvolt Bankruptcy

Cristina Stenbeck Returns as Kinnevik
1 MIN READ

Cristina Stenbeck Returns as Kinnevik Chairman After 7 Years

China's Tariffs Shake Stockholm Stock
2 MIN READ

China's Tariffs Shake Stockholm Stock Exchange, Expert Warns of Escalation

Stock Market Sees Largest Single-Day
1 MIN READ

Stock Market Sees Largest Single-Day Drop Since 2020 Pandemic

Sweden's Inflation Falls More Than
2 MIN READ

Sweden's Inflation Falls More Than Expected, Offering Economic Relief

Transport Unions and Employers Seal
1 MIN READ

Transport Unions and Employers Seal New Wage Agreement

Stockholm Stock Exchange Drops 4.2
2 MIN READ

Stockholm Stock Exchange Drops 4.2 Percent Amid Global Market Slump

EU Tariffs on US Goods
3 MIN READ

EU Tariffs on US Goods Could Raise Prices for Swedish Shoppers

Asian Markets Slide Following US
1 MIN READ

Asian Markets Slide Following US Tariff Announcement

IMF Warns US Tariffs Threaten
1 MIN READ

IMF Warns US Tariffs Threaten Global Economic Growth

Trump Signals Openness to Tariff
1 MIN READ

Trump Signals Openness to Tariff Negotiations for Economic Boost

EU Prepares Trade Countermeasures as
3 MIN READ

EU Prepares Trade Countermeasures as US Tariffs Loom

WTO Warns Trump's Tariffs Could
1 MIN READ

WTO Warns Trump's Tariffs Could Cut Global Trade by 1 Percent

Canada Imposes 25-Percent Tariffs on
1 MIN READ

Canada Imposes 25-Percent Tariffs on US Cars in Trade Dispute

Macron Urges EU Firms to
1 MIN READ

Macron Urges EU Firms to Rethink US Investments Over Tariffs

Volvo's Shift to Electric Cars
2 MIN READ

Volvo's Shift to Electric Cars Faces Scrutiny as Diesel Demand Persists

Stellantis Halts Canada and Mexico
1 MIN READ

Stellantis Halts Canada and Mexico Production Over US Tariffs

Fitch Downgrades China's Credit Rating
1 MIN READ

Fitch Downgrades China's Credit Rating Citing Economic Concerns

Wind Farm Cable Approval Granted
2 MIN READ

Wind Farm Cable Approval Granted but Vattenfall Faces Cost Hurdle

US Stock Market Tumbles as
3 MIN READ

US Stock Market Tumbles as Tariffs Hit Tech Giants

US Tariffs Pose Global Economic
2 MIN READ

US Tariffs Pose Global Economic Challenge, Says Swedish Central Bank Chief

Ikano Bank Faces Police Report
1 MIN READ

Ikano Bank Faces Police Report in Denmark Over Misleading Marketing

EU Trade Chief Sefcovic to
1 MIN READ

EU Trade Chief Sefcovic to Discuss US Tariffs on Friday

Volvo Cars Boosts US Production
3 MIN READ

Volvo Cars Boosts US Production in Response to Trump's Tariffs

US Imposes Tariffs on Remote
1 MIN READ

US Imposes Tariffs on Remote Penguin Islands in Australian Territory

Saab Secures Major Order for
1 MIN READ

Saab Secures Major Order for Combat Vehicle Systems from BAE Systems

Trump Tariffs Threaten to Hike
1 MIN READ

Trump Tariffs Threaten to Hike Coffee Prices in the US

Trump's New Tariffs Spark Global
2 MIN READ

Trump's New Tariffs Spark Global Criticism and Economic Concerns

Kent Concerts Spark Hotel Market
1 MIN READ

Kent Concerts Spark Hotel Market Boost in Stockholm

US Boosts Norwegian Salmon Imports
1 MIN READ

US Boosts Norwegian Salmon Imports Before Tariff Decision

Sweden's IT Sector Sees Reduced
1 MIN READ

Sweden's IT Sector Sees Reduced Work Hours and Pay Raise

Service Sector Slows as Index
1 MIN READ

Service Sector Slows as Index Drops Below 50 in Sweden