From MAGA to...memecoins?

Donald Trump has never been one to shy away from a trend—especially one that can be monetised, weaponised, or both.

His latest venture appears to be going full steam ahead into crypto, even launching his own meme coin.

What started as a fringe movement of internet culture is now firmly in the hands of politicians.

And Trump’s playbook offers a masterclass (or cautionary tale) in hype-driven marketing.

So, what, if anything, does this mean for brands?

Trump has always understood branding better than most politicians.

His name is a product. His campaign rallies are events.

And now, his entrance into the crypto space follows the same formula: create exclusivity, build a cult-like following, and ride the wave of internet virality.

Here's what I mean:

• His audience already thrives on loyalty and identity-driven consumption. A Trump-branded crypto product isn’t just about investment. It's about allegiance. This is how you seamlessly tap into a devoted base.

• Meme coins are built on hype, irony, and internet culture—things Trump has utilised in politics for years. This is just the next logical step.

• Kind of like limited-edition MAGA merch, the idea of a finite supply fuels FOMO and speculative trading.

While the president's move into crypto (what even is reality? lol) might seem to some like just another a publicity stunt, it signals a much larger shift:

The politicisation of digital finance.

For years, crypto was pitched as an anti-establishment, decentralised alternative to traditional finance.

Now, politicians—especially those positioning themselves as "anti-elite"—are leveraging it to build influence and push agendas.

Financial independence is the main message here.

Crypto has long been marketed as a way to "opt out" of traditional banking systems. Trump’s pivot capitalises on this narrative, aligning it with broader anti-government sentiment.

It’s also a way of rallying a whole digital movement.

Just as politicians have leaned into social media to engage younger voters, expect to see more leveraging of blockchain-based communities to galvanise support (or funding).

And of course, now that crypto is becoming a campaign talking point, it’s likely we will see future regulations shaped by political alliances rather than just financial policy.

What giveth, taketh away, right?

What can we, as brands learn from all this?

This isn’t just about money. It’s about influence, community-building, and media spectacle.

Here’s what brands can learn:

1. Hype-driven marketing works—but it’s risky

Meme coins thrive on volatility. Some brands can harness that kind of rapid engagement, but it requires careful messaging to avoid backlash.

2. Community is everything

Whether it’s MAGA followers or NFT collectors, success in crypto (and marketing) hinges on rallying a passionate, engaged audience.

3. The line between finance and culture is blurring

Money is no longer just transactional—it’s social, ideological, and political. Brands need to understand how financial movements intersect with cultural trends.

So, I guess the question of the hour is, should brands go crypto?

Financial products are becoming cultural symbols.

Brands entering the space must weigh the hype against the potential fallout. Because in the world of crypto, fortunes—and reputations—can change in an nth of a second.

So, should your brand get into crypto? Maybe.

How? Branded tokens, NFT and digital collectables, token-gated content and even accepting crypto payments.

But tread carefully, because what goes viral today could be a PR nightmare tomorrow.

-Sophie, Writer