From Politics to Protocols: Decoding Eric Trump’s Unexpected Crypto Headlines

Who Is Eric Trump?

Eric Frederick Trump, born on Jan. 6, 1984, in New York City, is the third child and second son of Donald Trump and his first wife, Ivana Trump. 

He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and management from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Early on, he joined the family business and later took on the role of Executive Vice President at the Trump Organization, where he oversaw development and management across various projects, including the expansion of the family’s golf club network, one of its core ventures.

In 2006, he launched the Eric Trump Foundation to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The foundation later shut down following criticism over potential conflicts of interest. Beyond business, Eric plays an active role in his father’s political initiatives, appearing at rallies and promoting Republican messaging. Eric Trump is married to Lara Trump. They have two children.

Appointment at Metaplanet

In March 2025, Eric Trump became a strategic adviser to Metaplanet, a Tokyo Stock Exchange–listed company and Japan’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin. The firm continues to expand its BTC holdings, aiming to reach 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025. 

Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich stated that Trump’s business background and enthusiasm for Bitcoin align with the company’s goals. 

The announcement sent shockwaves through the market. Metaplanet shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange jumped 17.8%, reaching 4,730 Japanese yen within the first 80 minutes of trading. 

Launch of American Bitcoin

In April 2025, Eric Trump and his brother Donald Trump Jr. announced the launch of American Bitcoin, a Bitcoin mining company. In partnership with public mining firm Hut 8, they plan to build one of the largest Bitcoin mining operations globally. Eric Trump took on the role of chief strategist.

The company formed through a merger between Hut 8 and American Data Centers. Eric and Donald Trump Jr. joined as investors. Following the merger, Hut 8 secured 80% ownership of American Bitcoin, while American Data Centers retained the remaining 20%. 

In May 2025, American Bitcoin announced plans to go public through a merger with Gryphon Digital Mining. Following the deal, the combined company will trade on Nasdaq under the ticker “ABTC.” Existing shareholders of American Bitcoin, including Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., will retain approximately 98% ownership in the new entity. 

The initiative aligns with the Trump family’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in the crypto industry. President Donald Trump stated his intention to make the U.S. a global leader in cryptocurrency and to pursue more lenient regulation. However, the initiative has drawn criticism from ethics experts and political opponents over potential conflicts of interest.

Eric Trump also holds an active role in World Liberty Financial, a family-owned crypto venture that, by March 2025, had raised $550 million in investment and held approximately $80.8 million in digital assets.

Public Stance and Crypto Advocacy

Eric Trump actively supports cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, calling them the future of the financial system. In December 2024, he stated that his father, Donald Trump, plans to position the U.S. as the “crypto capital of the world” through reasonable digital asset regulation. He described traditional banking systems as outdated and expressed confidence that crypto would soon outpace traditional finance. 

In an interview with CNBC that same month, he criticized the U.S. mortgage approval process for taking up to 90 days, calling it unacceptable in a modern economy. Additionally, he argued that blockchain can perform the same functions as traditional banks but faster and at a lower cost. 

Eric also expressed confidence that Bitcoin will reach $1 million and stated that his father plans to support cryptocurrency as a way to position the U.S. as a global leader in the sector. 

In April 2025, Eric warned that traditional banks face extinction within the next decade if they fail to adapt to new technologies. He pointed to cryptocurrencies and blockchain as faster and more cost-effective alternatives and called on banks to evolve or risk becoming obsolete. 

In April 2025, Eric Trump spoke at Token2049 in Dubai, one of the largest global crypto conferences. He repeated his view that cryptocurrencies will replace traditional banks and stated that countries adopting blockchain, such as the UAE, could gain an edge in the global technology race.

He also announced that the new Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai will accept Bitcoin for apartment purchases. Later, he joined a public discussion with representatives of World Liberty Financial to explore the future of digital assets.

Why Eric Trump Faces Criticism 

Eric Trump regularly shares bold trading advice, and many of his calls stir controversy. Here are a few notable examples.

“Great time to add $ETH”

On Feb. 3, 2025, he advised buying ETH, which traded at around $2,087 at the time. However, the price later declined, reaching $1,387 by April 9. Ethereum fell more than 30% after Eric Trump’s recommendation.

Investors who followed the call voiced frustration across social platforms. One user replied to Trump’s post: “Exactly what I'd say if I was about to dump a massive bag of ETH.”

“Buy the dips”

On Feb. 25, 2025, Eric Trump called on followers to “buy the dips.” On the evening of March 2, Donald Trump published a post about digital assets that would reportedly form part of a national crypto reserve. The announcement triggered a sharp market rally. Bitcoin jumped $10,000, and the mentioned altcoins surged by double digits within 24 hours. However, the rally was short-lived. The market soon cooled, and charts returned to previous levels. 

Did Eric Trump know in advance about his father’s post? That remains unclear.

“HOLD”

On March 3, 2025, after a sharp market correction, Eric posted another optimistic message, urging crypto investors to hold their assets. Bitcoin’s price dropped sharply shortly after, prompting users to point to the timing once again. 

Nevertheless, Eric Trump remains a prominent figure in the crypto space, driven by his name, business activity, and public messaging. His presence reflects the deepening overlap between politics and digital assets, with each statement prompting the crypto community to search for signals from the new U.S. administration.

As the son of the sitting president and a board member of several crypto firms, Eric Trump is likely to continue shaping both market sentiment and regulatory discourse, drawing attention from supporters and critics alike.