Crypto News: TRUMP Memecoin Slumps 10%, DOJ Jails Scammer 70 Months, Bitcoin ETFs Surge

Bitcoin coin on desk with laptop showing ETF chart, representing crypto news and Bitcoin ETF inflows

TRUMP memecoin fell nearly 10% in 24 hours despite a Mar-a-Lago investor gala. A California man received a 70-month prison sentence for his role in a $263 million crypto scam. Meanwhile, US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $2.12 billion in inflows over nine days. Here is the latest crypto news.

TRUMP Memecoin Extends Slide Amid Exclusive Gala

Donald Trump’s official TRUMP memecoin continued its decline on Saturday. The token traded at around $2.67, down nearly 10% over the past day, according to CoinMarketCap data. It sits more than 96% below its all-time high of $75.35 from early 2025.

Also read: Ethics standoff threatens Senate progress on CLARITY Act crypto bill ahead of Thursday markup

The downturn occurred even as Trump hosted a closed-door gathering for top token holders at Mar-a-Lago. The Saturday event brought together 297 of the largest TRUMP investors. Organizers billed it as the “most exclusive” crypto and business conference. A smaller group of 29 attended a VIP reception and champagne toast, according to The Independent.

A similar event took place in May last year. Trump organized a contest-style gathering at the Trump National Golf Club in Potomac Falls, Virginia, for the top 220 holders of his memecoin.

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Industry watchers note that the token’s price action suggests limited impact from high-profile events. The token has lost significant value since its peak. This could signal waning investor enthusiasm for politically themed memecoins.

DOJ Sentences Crypto Scammer to 70 Months in Prison

The United States Department of Justice announced on Friday that Evan Tangeman, a 22-year-old California resident, received a 70-month prison sentence. He played a role in a criminal organization that stole about $263 million in cryptocurrencies from victims.

Tangeman pleaded guilty in December 2025. He admitted to laundering at least $3.5 million in stolen funds on behalf of the organization. The group funneled the money into luxury items, exotic cars, and real estate, according to the DOJ’s announcement.

Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, said: “This criminal enterprise was built on greed so brazen it borders on the cartoonish.” She added: “Evan Tangeman didn’t just launder the money that fueled that lifestyle. When his co-conspirators were arrested, he moved to destroy the evidence. That is consciousness of guilt, and this office and the court have treated that accordingly.”

The sentence came amid an uptick in violent physical attacks and social engineering scams targeting cryptocurrency users worldwide. Data from blockchain analytics firms shows that crypto-related crime remains a persistent issue.

Broader Implications for Crypto Security

This case highlights the ongoing risks in the crypto space. The DOJ’s aggressive stance signals a commitment to prosecuting digital asset crimes. For investors, it underscores the need for due diligence and secure storage practices.

What this means for the industry is that regulatory scrutiny will likely intensify. The DOJ’s focus on laundering and organized crime could lead to more stringent compliance requirements for exchanges and wallet providers.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs See Nine-Day Inflow Streak

US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds extended their inflow momentum through late April. They notched a nine-day streak amid growing investor conviction. During the period spanning April 14 to April 24, total net inflows reached roughly $2.12 billion.

The strongest single-day performance came on April 17, when funds attracted $663.91 million. April 14 and April 22 also posted sturdy gains of $411.50 million and $335.82 million, respectively. The weakest day came on Friday, with a more modest $14.45 million in net inflows.

BlackRock’s IBIT led the day with $22.88 million in inflows. In contrast, Fidelity’s FBTC recorded outflows of $1.69 million. Bitwise’s BITB and ARK 21Shares’ ARKB saw withdrawals of $8.85 million and $9.02 million, respectively. Other funds, including Grayscale’s GBTC and smaller products, reported largely flat flows.

The April streak is the first nine-day run for spot Bitcoin ETFs since a similar run in October. That earlier period saw inflows surge, including $1.21 billion on Oct. 6 and $875.6 million on Oct. 7.

What Drives the Inflows?

Analysts point to several factors behind the sustained inflows. Institutional adoption continues to grow. Bitcoin’s price stability relative to earlier volatility may also attract risk-averse investors. Additionally, the approval of spot ETFs has opened the door for mainstream capital.

This suggests that Bitcoin is gaining legitimacy as an asset class. The inflows could signal a shift in investor sentiment, with more players viewing Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation or a store of value.

Conclusion

Today’s crypto news covers a mix of market movements, legal actions, and investment trends. TRUMP memecoin’s decline despite a high-profile gala raises questions about the staying power of celebrity tokens. The DOJ’s sentencing of a crypto scammer reinforces the risks in the space. Meanwhile, the sustained inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs indicate growing confidence among institutional investors. These developments highlight the evolving nature of the crypto ecosystem.

FAQs

Q1: Why did the TRUMP memecoin drop despite the Mar-a-Lago event?
Market analysts suggest that the token’s price action is driven by broader market sentiment and supply dynamics, not individual events. The token is down 96% from its peak, indicating limited demand.

Q2: What was the crypto scam that led to the 70-month sentence?
Evan Tangeman laundered at least $3.5 million for a criminal organization that stole about $263 million in cryptocurrencies from victims. The group used the funds for luxury purchases.

Q3: How much did spot Bitcoin ETFs attract during the nine-day streak?
Total net inflows reached approximately $2.12 billion between April 14 and April 24, 2026. The strongest day was April 17 with $663.91 million.

Q4: Which Bitcoin ETF saw the most inflows on the final day of the streak?
BlackRock’s IBIT led with $22.88 million in inflows on April 24. Fidelity’s FBTC and other funds saw outflows.

Q5: What does the DOJ sentencing mean for crypto regulation?
The case signals increased enforcement against crypto-related crimes. It could lead to stricter compliance rules for exchanges and wallet providers.

Jackson Miller

Written by

Jackson Miller

Jackson Miller is a senior cryptocurrency journalist and market analyst with over eight years of experience covering digital assets, blockchain technology, and decentralized finance. Before joining CoinPulseHQ as lead writer, Jackson worked as a financial technology correspondent for several business publications where he developed deep expertise in derivatives markets, on-chain analytics, and institutional crypto adoption. At CoinPulseHQ, Jackson covers Bitcoin price movements, Ethereum ecosystem developments, and emerging Layer-2 protocols.

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