Trump might create his own Binance and call it TruthFi

Donald Trump’s media and technology firm has filed a trademark application for a new cryptocurrency payment platform named TruthFi. The service aims to offer payment processing, asset management, financial custody, and digital asset trading. This initiative follows the firm’s exploration of acquiring the Bakkt crypto trading exchange.

Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) currently operates the social media platform Truth Social and is seeking avenues to diversify its revenue streams. The trademark application for TruthFi suggests a potential entry into the growing cryptocurrency market. While specifics related to the development progress of TruthFi remain unclear, the move could signify a broader strategy to engage with the leading financial trends post-Trump’s recent election victory.

In the wake of Trump’s election, interest in cryptocurrency surged among his supporters, many of whom advocate for friendlier regulatory frameworks. Reports indicate that the incoming administration is considering establishing a crypto advisory council. Former Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Chris Giancarlo is reportedly among Trump’s prospects for a “Crypto Czar.” This advisory body could focus on crucial regulations surrounding digital assets, reflecting trends in the crypto marketplace and Trump’s campaign promises to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet.”

Trump’s administration may see shifts in regulatory leadership, with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler resigning effective January 20, coinciding with Trump’s inauguration. Anticipation builds regarding who will replace Gensler, especially since a pro-crypto appointee could substantially influence the evolving landscape of digital assets in the U.S. Government retrenchments at agencies investigating crypto are also in play, with reports suggesting that Marty Gruenberg, chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), will also step down shortly before Trump takes office.

The ongoing discussions around digital assets have crystalized interest from various industry veterans. Trump’s phone conversations with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong suggest potential strategic collaborations, as the administration aims to integrate industry perspectives into policy formulation. Both parties have engaged in dialogues that could reshape regulatory frameworks and potentially bolster the market further.

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The trademark application for TruthFi comes amid reports of TMTG’s advanced talks regarding the acquisition of Bakkt. Following these discussions, Bakkt’s stock price reportedly surged by more than 160%, highlighting investors’ optimism about the proposed deal. While these moves could pave the way for TruthFi to gain a foothold, it remains unclear how the new platform will align with TMTG’s broader business strategy or its capability in the crowded crypto marketplace.

Trump’s ongoing ventures in the crypto sector, including his recent business named World Liberty Financial, illustrate a concerted effort to capitalize on the crypto boom. The planned leadership pick for the Commerce Department, Howard Lutnick, known for his allegiance to cryptocurrency, reinforces the potential for significant regulatory changes. Lutnick’s inclusion further heightens expectations around the administration’s commitment to reshaping the regulatory land favorably for crypto businesses.

Richard Painter, former ethics lawyer during the Bush administration, noted the broad implications of such conflicts, arguing that Trump should divest personal assets to mitigate these concerns, a step he suggested every president has historically undertaken.

With multiple threads of inquiry in progress—ranging from regulatory actions to potential conflicts of interest—stakeholders in the cryptocurrency arena are wary yet hopeful as they track Shifts in policy direction following Trump’s anticipated inauguration.

Featured image credit: Denise Chan/Unsplash