Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company behind Donald Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, has made a significant $300 million investment in options linked to Bitcoin-related securities. The strategic move, reported by Bloomberg, signals a shift in TMTG’s approach to cryptocurrency exposure, aiming to capitalize on price volatility without directly holding Bitcoin.
The substantial investment in derivatives, rather than direct ownership of the digital asset, is designed to amplify TMTG’s market exposure by leveraging price swings. While specific details of the investment remain undisclosed, the decision marks a rare and aggressive play for a publicly traded company.
TMTG declined to comment on the investment. A White House spokesperson, however, told Bloomberg that the president “has never engaged in, and never will engage in, any conflict of interest.”
This latest move builds on TMTG’s existing, substantial crypto exposure, estimated at $2 billion in Bitcoin and related assets. However, actively trading options represents a more aggressive tactic in managing that exposure. The strategy could generate significant profits during sharp price swings but also exposes the company to potentially large losses if the market moves adversely.
The decision also brings into focus Donald Trump’s personal influence over cryptocurrency markets. His past posts on Truth Social have been observed to drive price surges. Notably, a March post suggesting the U.S. consider a reserve asset composed of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, coincided with a jump in digital asset prices.
Furthermore, Trump’s personal fortune is heavily tied to crypto, with Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index estimating that TMTG stock represents $2.2 billion of his $6.6 billion fortune. His broader cryptocurrency investments are believed to have gained at least $620 million in recent months.
The intersection of Trump’s political influence and his financial exposure to crypto markets is raising concerns among some industry figures. Nick Carter, general partner at Castle Island Ventures and a Trump supporter, acknowledged the potential for a conflict of interest. “It’s always a headache to have businesses with conflicting interests,” Carter told Bloomberg.
Beyond Trump’s direct holdings, nearly 70 nominees and officials in the Trump administration reportedly hold crypto or investments in blockchain companies, with holdings ranging from modest sums to over $120 million. This group includes Vice President JD Vance and seven Cabinet members or nominees, collectively disclosing at least $2 million in crypto assets. Critics warn that such widespread holdings create potential conflicts of interest and could normalize risky crypto investments among public servants.
