US President Donald Trump has responded to criticism of his 2025 financial disclosures, showing that he earned $1.4 billion in income from crypto-related ventures while in office. In a Thursday interview with CNBC’s Joe Kernen, Trump said that there was “nothing illegal” and “nothing wrong” with profiting from his crypto investments as president. He claimed that other people were responsible for his investments and he didn’t “even know who they are,” not directly answering questions about perceived conflicts of interest as president.
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Financial disclosure reveals $2 billion in total income
Trump’s remarks followed the release of his 2025 financial disclosure report by the US Office of Government Ethics, showing that he took in more than $2 billion from his businesses and investments. About $1.4 billion of that total was connected to crypto projects like his memecoin and his family’s platform, World Liberty Financial. Many advocacy organizations have characterized the investments as a “grift” allowing the president to influence related legislation like the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act.
Following his first term as US president, Trump called Bitcoin (BTC) a “scam.” However, in the lead-up to the 2024 election, he began cozying up to many high-profile figures in the crypto industry, including Gemini co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and executives at mining companies and exchanges. He has since launched his own memecoin, Official Trump (TRUMP), in addition to his family’s involvement in World Liberty and American Bitcoin.
Breakdown of the $1.4 billion crypto income
Of the $1.4 billion tied to crypto, Trump disclosed that his memecoin generated about $636 million, World Liberty sales about $588 million and $197 million from equity in a stablecoin venture. The figures have drawn sharp criticism from ethics watchdogs and political opponents, who argue that the president’s personal financial interests are directly tied to the fate of digital asset legislation currently before Congress.
“Donald is once again pushing the envelope and nobody, nobody is putting the brakes on it,” Mary Trump, the president’s niece, said in a Friday interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “At the end of the day, because of his abuse of the presidential pardon power, a lot of people are likely to get away with a lot of financial crimes that have done real harm to people that have invested in Donald’s businesses because they believed in him and what he was selling.”
Crypto industry bets big on 2026 US elections
After digital asset companies spent a reported $170 million toward supporting whom they considered “pro-crypto” candidates to Congress in 2024, political action committees (PACs) and organizations appear to have adopted the same playbook for 2026. According to the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, companies and figures tied to the crypto industry had contributed $189 million toward this year’s election cycle as of June. The contributions made up the bulk of the $294 million from the crypto, AI, Big Tech and online betting companies spent so far to support or oppose politicians.
Trump’s term ends in January 2029, but all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives and 35 in the Senate are up for grabs in the 2026 races. The outcome of these elections could significantly shape the regulatory environment for digital assets in the United States.
Why this matters
The controversy highlights the unresolved tension between the growing political influence of the crypto industry and the ethical obligations of public officeholders. With the CLARITY Act and a bill banning central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) awaiting Trump’s signature, critics argue that the president’s personal financial stake in crypto creates an unavoidable conflict of interest. For investors and market participants, the episode underscores the increasingly blurred line between business, politics, and digital asset regulation.
FAQs
Q1: How much did Trump earn from crypto while in office?
A1: According to his 2025 financial disclosure, Trump earned approximately $1.4 billion from crypto-related ventures, including his memecoin ($636 million), World Liberty Financial ($588 million), and a stablecoin venture ($197 million).
Q2: What is the CLARITY Act?
A2: The Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act is a proposed bill in the US Congress aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for digital assets. Critics have raised concerns that Trump’s personal crypto investments could influence his stance on the legislation.
Q3: How much has the crypto industry spent on the 2026 elections?
A3: According to Public Citizen, the crypto industry has contributed approximately $189 million to the 2026 election cycle as of June, making up the majority of spending from tech and online betting sectors.
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