From Dogecoin to $Trump: everything you need know about the wild world of meme coins
Are they the same as crypto, why has the US president launched one, and who’s really coining it in? Here’s a complete guide to the latest digital money mania
Three days before his inauguration as US president, Donald Trump made an unusual move. He launched $Trump, a so-called meme coin that fans and speculators could buy in the hopes it would gain value. Initially, $Trump soared from a value of $7 to $75 per coin in a day, according to crypto price-tracking website CoinMarketCap. Two days later, it dropped to about $40 – just as incoming first lady Melania Trump launched her own meme coin, $Melania. Even the pastor at Trump’s inauguration ceremony, Lorenzo Sewell, got swept up in the meme coin frenzy, promoting a $Lorenzo version the same afternoon.
So what exactly are meme coins, and why is everyone and their vicar suddenly getting involved?
Meme coins are a type of digital asset based on a meme – usually something that has gone viral online. The best known is Dogecoin, inspired by the popular meme featuring a shiba inu dog that speaks in Comic Sans. But Dogecoin is a bit different from the slew of recent meme coins, says Simon Peters, crypto analyst at trading platform eToro. Launched in 2013, Dogecoin has its own blockchain – the decentralised ledger technology that underpins cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. The majority of other meme coins are “tokens”, meaning they operate on top of an existing blockchain and so require little in the way of technical development.
-
Here Is What to Know About U.S. Foreign Aid and the Trump Freeze
Critics say a Trump administration order calls into question the United States’ global standing and reliability.The New York Times - 21h -
From Patrick Mahomes to Kendrick Lamar, we broke down everything to know about Super Bowl LIX
We have you covered with team previews, box score predictions, a breakdown of Super Bowl MVP candidates, game picks and much more.ESPN - 15h -
Super Bowl 2025: How to watch Chiefs vs Eagles on Sunday, TV channel, kickoff time, location, and everything you need to know
Are you ready for Super Bowl LIX?Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Here's everything you need to know about the Super Bowl
With Super Bowl LIX kicking off soon, learn more about how to watch, what time to tune in and what channel or streaming service to follow as the Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles.NBC News - 2d -
Imprisoned 'Chrisley Knows Best' couple to seek pardons from Trump
The imprisoned reality television couple known for the TV show “Chrisley Knows Best” will seek pardons from President Donald Trump following their convictions in a scheme to defraud banks out of ...NBC News - 2d -
Deion Sanders said he thought about Cowboys HC job after speaking to Jerry Jones: 'You just weigh everything'
Sanders said he was "praying and weighing" on the Cowboys job, but negotiations didn't go far.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Trump wants to end a popular Wall Street tax break. What to know about the 'carried interest loophole'
President Donald Trump wants to end the carried interest loophole. Here's how the tax break benefits Wall Street investment managers.CNBC - 2d -
Consumer Advocacy Group Launches Investigation Into Trump’s Meme Coin
Public Citizen urged federal agencies to recommend stopping of the sale of the meme coin $Trump.Inc. - 3d
More from The Guardian
-
Trump to announce 25% aluminium and steel tariffs as China’s levies against US come into effect
US president accused of ‘shifting goalposts’ by premier of Ontario for adding further tariffs on top of existing metal duties, as China’s fossil fuel levies come into force. Donald Trump has said ...The Guardian - 5h -
Middle East crisis live: Israeli talks delegation returns from Qatar after Trump says he is losing patience with ceasefire deal
No details given over status of talks following US president’s remarks over condition of Israeli hostages released at the weekend. The IDF’s raid on the West Bank city o f Jenin , which has killed ...The Guardian - 18m -
Merciless Philadelphia Eagles dismantle Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl
Kansas City Chiefs 22–40 Philadelphia Eagles As it happened: David Lengel’s minute-by-minute report Analysis: Mahomes left humbled and harassed Seven years after winning their first Vince ...The Guardian - 9h -
Euclid telescope captures Einstein ring revealing warping of space
Dazzling image shows galaxy more than 4bn light years away, whose starlight has been bent due to gravity. The Euclid space telescope has captured a rare phenomenon called an Einstein ring that ...The Guardian - 6h -
France braces for trial of surgeon accused of sexually abusing hundreds of children
Joël Le Scouarnec has been charged with the rape or sexual assault of 299 patients from 1989 to 2014. The biggest child abuse trial in French history will open in Brittany this month amid anger ...The Guardian - 9h
More in World
-
Trump Is Freezing Money for Clean Energy. Republican States Have the Most to Lose.
About 80 percent of manufacturing investments spurred by a Biden-era climate law have flowed to Republican districts. Efforts to stop federal payments are already causing pain.The New York Times - 6m -
‘Engine of inequality’: delegates discuss AI’s global impact at Paris summit
Emmanuel Macron’s tech envoy warns attenders current trajectory of artificial intelligence is unsustainable. Europe live – latest updates Business live – latest updates The impact of ...The Guardian - 13m -
Deutsche Bank fined €10mn by Spanish regulator over forex mis-selling
German lender says its controls have improved and will challenge ruling by Spain’s CNMVFinancial Times - 16m -
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis resigns ahead of election rerun
Leader says he wants to avoid his country becoming ‘laughing stock’ after vote scrapped due to alleged Russian meddlingFinancial Times - 17m -
Middle East crisis live: Israeli talks delegation returns from Qatar after Trump says he is losing patience with ceasefire deal
No details given over status of talks following US president’s remarks over condition of Israeli hostages released at the weekend. The IDF’s raid on the West Bank city o f Jenin , which has killed ...The Guardian - 18m