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In an unprecedented week for cryptocurrency, Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 was in danger of being overshadowed - by himself. The launches of both 'Trump Coin' ($TRUMP) and 'Melania Coin' ($MELANIA), caused seismic shifts in the crypto market.
Here's a day-by-day breakdown of how these events unfolded, highlighting the impact on digital currencies and investor sentiment.
As the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump approached, the cryptocurrency market began to show signs of increased volatility. Speculation around Trump’s potential pro-crypto policies fueled a wave of optimism among investors, driving interest in Bitcoin and other digital assets following a downturn.
The $TRUMP memecoin, launched earlier in the month, started to gain traction among retail investors and Trump supporters. The token's value began climbing steadily, driven by rumors that Trump’s administration might adopt a more favorable stance toward cryptocurrencies, including deregulation and the establishment of a Bitcoin reserve.
$TRUMP saw a massive surge in value, with its market capitalization surpassing $70 billion after President-elect Trump publicly acknowledged the token during a campaign-style rally. Trump described $TRUMP as "a symbol of American innovation and leadership in the crypto space," sparking a buying frenzy. Just days before his inauguration, the token skyrocketed to a market capitalization of nearly $9 billion within hours.
The launch of $MELANIA, a competing memecoin introduced by Melania Trump on the Solana blockchain, dented $TRUMP's trajectory. $TRUMP experienced a sharp decline, dropping by approximately 40% in value as investors shifted focus.
On the day of Trump's inauguration, Bitcoin also soared past $109,000 to an all-time high, reflecting broader market optimism tied to Trump’s pro-crypto rhetoric. Traders and investors viewed the inauguration as a pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency market, with expectations of favorable policies and increased mainstream acceptance.
READ MORE: Trump’s meme token sparks debate: opportunity or pump-and-dump?