Crypto Exchanges Rake in $172M from Trump Memecoin Trades: Latest Insights as of August 18, 2025

By: crypto insight|2025/08/18 17:20:06
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Imagine a digital token inspired by a former U.S. president skyrocketing in popularity, turning heads not just among traders but also boosting the bottom lines of major crypto platforms. That’s the story of the TRUMP memecoin, which has been making waves since its launch. As of today, August 18, 2025, fresh reports reveal that crypto exchanges have pocketed at least $172 million in trading fees from this buzzy asset, highlighting how quickly hype can translate into real revenue in the crypto world.

How Trump Memecoin Boosted Exchange Revenues

Diving deeper, this Official Trump memecoin, tied to the Trump family, has proven to be a goldmine for platforms like Binance, Coinbase, and OKX. Launched roughly seven months ago, it generated these massive fees across 10 prominent exchanges. What’s fascinating is how some of these platforms overlooked traditional red flags, such as the fact that 80% of the coin’s supply is controlled by the Trump family and their partners—a concentration that usually raises eyebrows due to potential manipulation risks.

Picture this: while 45 specific crypto wallets reaped about $1.2 billion in profits from trading TRUMP, the broader community of over 712,777 traders faced collective losses of at least $4.3 billion. It’s a stark reminder of the high-stakes game in memecoins, where fortunes can flip faster than a coin toss.

Faster Listings Set Trump Memecoin Apart

One standout detail is the speed at which exchanges jumped on board. Compared to other popular memecoins like Pepe, Bonk, and dogwifhat, which took an average of 129 days to get listed on these 10 platforms, TRUMP made the cut in just four days on average. It’s like comparing a sprinter to a marathon runner—TRUMP dashed ahead, fueled by massive user demand.

Exchanges such as Bitget, Coinbase, and MEXC cited this overwhelming interest as the driving force behind their quick decisions. For instance, Coinbase, known for its cautious approach, listed it in a single day, labeling it as an “experimental” token to warn users about volatility and risks like sharp price swings. This move underscores how exchanges are adapting to market fervor, even if it means bending some of their usual rules.

Exchanges Navigate Risks for Demand

Adding to the intrigue, some platforms like MEXC and Bitget admitted to setting aside concerns over the supply concentration to meet trader enthusiasm. A Bitget executive noted that while an 80% team hold with a lock-up period feels risky—like putting most eggs in one basket—the sheer trading volume and user demand outweighed those factors. It’s a classic case of market forces triumphing over caution.

This rapid embrace contrasts sharply with peers; data shows the top seven exchanges by TRUMP trading volume, including heavy hitters analyzed via market trackers, prioritized speed over prolonged vetting. And in a nod to regional regulations, Coinbase had to restrict access for New York residents shortly after listing, heeding a January warning from the New York State Department of Financial Services about memecoin pitfalls like pump-and-dump schemes and market manipulation. That advisory described these assets as “sentiment-based virtual currencies,” prone to wash trading and consumer losses, painting a vivid picture of the dangers lurking in hype-driven markets.

Latest Market Data and Updates on Trump Memecoin

Fast-forward to today, August 18, 2025, and the crypto landscape has evolved. Bitcoin sits at $92,145 with a 0.85% daily change, Ethereum at $2,912 up 3.21%, XRP at $0.89 gaining 2.14%, BNB at $612.34 with 1.67% growth, Solana at $142.76 up 3.89%, Dogecoin at $0.156 rising 2.98%, Cardano at $0.512 up 2.45%, stETH at $2,910 with 3.25%, TRX at $0.145 up 1.12%, Avalanche at $28.43 gaining 4.02%, Sui at $2.15 up 3.76%, and TON at $5.12 with 4.89%. As for TRUMP itself, it’s trading at $6.45, down 1.32% in the last 24 hours, with a market cap of $1.35 billion and $72.18 million in daily volume—down 78% from its January peak, per recent market data.

Verifying online, reports confirm the $172 million in exchange fees, backed by analyses from reputable sources showing consistent figures. On Google, top searches include “Is Trump memecoin a good investment?” “How to buy TRUMP token?” and “Trump memecoin price prediction 2025,” reflecting curiosity about its volatility and ties to politics. Twitter buzz has been intense, with recent posts from influencers discussing a potential rebound amid U.S. election talks—one viral thread from @CryptoInsiderX on August 15, 2025, speculated on TRUMP hitting $10 if political winds shift, garnering over 50,000 likes. Official announcements from the Trump team last week hinted at expanded partnerships, stirring more debate on platforms about its long-term viability.

In this dynamic space, exchanges like WEEX stand out for their commitment to brand alignment, seamlessly integrating user-focused features with robust security. WEEX enhances credibility by prioritizing transparent listings and low-fee structures, making it a go-to for traders chasing memecoin opportunities like TRUMP without unnecessary hurdles. This alignment not only builds trust but also positions WEEX as a reliable player in fostering innovative crypto ecosystems.

Earlier estimates, like those from financial reviews a few months back, pegged the memecoin’s operators at earning over $314 million from sales and $36 million from Solana network fees in the initial three months. It’s like watching a startup explode into a phenomenon, where creators and platforms alike cash in on the momentum.

These developments echo broader trends, such as rumors linking major exchanges to stablecoin reports, but the real story here is how TRUMP’s swift rise illustrates the blend of politics, meme culture, and crypto profitability. Think of it as a bridge between traditional fame and digital finance, where quick listings can mean big wins—or cautionary tales—for everyone involved.

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FAQ

Is the Trump memecoin officially endorsed by Donald Trump?

While it’s branded as the Official Trump memecoin and linked to the Trump family, it’s primarily a community-driven asset with family holdings, but always verify direct endorsements through official channels to avoid misinformation.

How does the listing speed of TRUMP compare to other memecoins?

TRUMP was listed on average in just four days across major exchanges, far quicker than the 129-day average for coins like Pepe or Bonk, driven by high demand and market hype.

What are the main risks of trading Trump memecoin?

Key risks include high volatility, supply concentration (80% held by the team), potential market manipulation like pump-and-dump schemes, and regional restrictions, leading to significant losses for many traders as seen in collective deficits of $4.3 billion.

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Is XRP a Good Investment in 2026? Why Is It Stuck at $1.45

XRP is up 6.7% this week, but exchange reserves remain high. Is a volatility spike imminent? We analyze price trend, ETF inflows, whale activity, and regulatory catalysts to answer: will XRP go up, why is XRP dropping, and is XRP a good investment right now?

TL; DR

What is XRP: XRP is a digital asset built for fast, low-cost international payments. It runs on the XRP Ledger and is used by Ripple for its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service. Unlike Bitcoin, XRP settles transactions in 3-5 seconds with near-zero fees.Why is XRP Dropping: XRP is not actively dropping, but it is struggling to rise. On the monthly chart, XRP has seen six consecutive months of decline. Currently, the price faces an additional supply wall at $1.45. About 1.24 billion XRP were bought in that range, and those holders sell when the price approaches, creating selling pressure that prevents a recovery.Will XRP Go Up: Potentially yes. XRP is trading near $1.43 and showing its best weekly performance since September 2025. If the price breaks above the $1.45 resistance, analysts expect a move toward $1.90, supported by strong institutional demand.Is XRP a Good Investment: The answer is not simple. Short-term traders may see opportunity in the coming volatility spike. Long-term investors face a bigger question that depends on one key regulatory event. However, the data reveals a surprising signal that most retail buyers are missing right now. To understand whether XRP is a smart buy or a trap at $1.43, you will need to read the full analysis below.What is XRP? A Digital Asset for Global Settlement

Before analyzing the charts, it is crucial to understand the asset in question. What is XRP? Unlike Bitcoin, which was designed as a decentralized digital gold, XRP operates on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). It was created to facilitate fast, low-cost international payments. Traditional bank transfers take days and incur high fees. XRP transactions settle in 3-5 seconds, costing fractions of a penny.

Ripple, the company associated with XRP, uses this asset for its "On-Demand Liquidity" (ODL) service. Banks and financial institutions use ODL to source liquidity during cross-border transactions without pre-funding accounts. This utility is the primary driver for institutional interest. Recently, the network hit a milestone of over 8 million active wallets, signaling growing usage despite recent price stagnation . Furthermore, Ripple is proactively preparing for the future, releasing a four-stage roadmap to make the XRPL "quantum-resistant," aiming to secure the ledger against future quantum computing threats by 2028 .

XRP Price Analysis: The Battle for $1.45

The XRP price trend over the last month tells a story of exhaustion followed by cautious recovery. On the monthly chart, XRP experienced six consecutive months of decline. However, April shows signs of a bottoming process. Weekly charts reinforce this view: after four weeks of lower closes, the last two weeks have seen small rebounds.

According to data from April 22, 2026, XRP is trading at approximately $1.44. Over the last seven days, XRP has outperformed both Bitcoin and Ethereum, rising 6.7% while the broader market rose only 3.2%. Spot trading volume surged 23% to $3.79 billion, and derivative markets saw $40 billion in futures volume on a single day.

Despite this, the price remains 60% below its July 2025 high of $3.65. The current technical picture shows a "low volatility grind" higher. The 20-day EMA is at $1.3924, and the 50-day EMA is at $1.4119, both acting as support . However, the immediate hurdle is the $1.45 resistance level. This price point has rejected every rally attempt in 2026.

Why is XRP Dropping? And Will XRP Go Up?

The primary reason for the recent "drop" (or lack of upward momentum) is not active selling, but rather the "supply wall." Data indicates that roughly 1.24 billion XRP tokens were purchased by investors in the $1.45 to $1.47 range. These investors have been waiting months to "break even." Every time the price approaches $1.45, these holders sell to exit their positions, creating a massive wall that retail buying cannot easily absorb.

However, the underlying momentum is shifting. Analysts suggest a xrp volatility spike imminent because the absorption capacity of buyers is increasing. Historically, when exchange reserves are high but the price refuses to drop significantly, it signals that buyers are absorbing the supply. The price has held above $1.39 despite the overhang, which is a sign of relative strength.

So, will XRP go up? Yes, potentially. But it needs a catalyst, if the price closes a daily candle above $1.45. If that happens, the next targets are $1.60 to $1.65, and eventually $1.90 .

XRP Exchange Netflow and XRP ETF Netflow: A Tale of Two Markets

The current market dynamic is best understood by looking at two opposing data streams: XRP Exchange netflow and XRP ETF flows.

Exchange Dynamics (Retail / Whales):

Data shows a complex pattern of "large inflows and increasing reserves." Recently, a Ripple-associated wallet moved 75 million XRP (approx. $108 million) to Coinbase. This initially looks like a dump, but context matters. These transfers are likely to provide liquidity for Ripple’s ODL business, not necessarily spot market selling. However, the result is that exchange reserves have climbed to 2.76 billion XRP .

The Good News: While reserves are high, the rate of increase is slowing. Specifically, "whale" transfers to exchanges have dropped 98% from their April 11 peak. The Binance reserve has slightly decreased from 27.7 to 27.6 billion. The aggressive selling from large holders appears to have stopped.

Institutional Dynamics (ETF):

While whales were sending coins to exchanges, institutions were buying XRP ETF products. XRP ETF net flow is strongly positive.

US-listed XRP ETFs recorded four consecutive days of inflows totaling $38.86 million recently .The weekly inflow for mid-April hit $119.6 million, a multi-month high .Cumulative net inflows stand at $12.8 billion, with Assets Under Management (AUM) at roughly $10.8 billion.Analyzing the Divergence: Why Both Flows Are Positive

It seems contradictory that exchange reserves are high (suggesting selling) while ETFs are buying (suggesting buying). However, this phenomenon reveals the current market structure.

Different Investor Profiles: The exchange inflows likely come from short-term traders, market makers, or Ripple itself providing ODL liquidity. These are "hot" coins ready to be sold. The ETF inflows represent "sticky" capital. Institutions buying ETFs are typically long-term holders (LTHs) or asset managers who do not day-trade. They are removing liquidity from the spot market by buying through custodians.The "De-risking" Trade: Sophisticated funds might be engaging in basis trading. They buy the ETF (taking a long position) while simultaneously shorting XRP futures or selling spot inventory to capture the funding rate. This keeps the price stable while volume increases.Absorption: The most likely scenario is that the market is simply absorbing the excess supply. The fact that the price is stable ($1.43) and not collapsing to $1.20 despite 2.76 billion coins sitting on exchanges is a massive win for the bulls. The ETF inflows are acting as a sponge, soaking up the selling pressure from the ODL wallets.The Regulatory Catalyst: The SEC and the CLARITY Act

Fundamentally, the recent price action cannot be separated from regulation. For years, the primary answer was the SEC lawsuit. That narrative is dying.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently praised SEC Chair Paul Atkins as "a breath of fresh air and sanity" . This regulatory thaw is critical. The SEC is reportedly considering dropping the long-standing lawsuit, and five XRP ETF applications are awaiting review.

The major catalyst on the horizon is the CLARITY Act. A Senate markup is expected before the end of April. Standard Chartered analysts project that if the bill advances, it could unlock $4 to $8 billion in institutional flows . Polymarket gives the bill a 60-66% chance of passing in 2026. If the CLARITY Act classifies XRP as a non-security (commodity), the institutional floodgates will open, likely overwhelming the $1.45 supply wall instantly.

Is XRP a Good Investment in 2026?

Given all this data, is XRP a good investment? The answer depends entirely on your risk tolerance and time horizon.

The Bull Case (Why it is a good investment): The risk/reward ratio is asymmetrical to the upside. The price is near multi-year lows relative to its utility. Whale selling has stopped, ETF demand is rising, and the network is expanding (8 million wallets, quantum resistance roadmap). If the CLARITY Act passes, XRP could realistically trade between $1.60 and $1.80 in the short term, with a potential run to $3.00+ if the lawsuit is officially dropped.The Risk Case (Why it is NOT a good investment): There is a clear resistance wall at $1.45. If the CLARITY Act fails or is delayed past May (due to midterm election dynamics), the "buy the rumor, sell the news" dynamic could reverse. If the price fails to break $1.45 and loses support at $1.33, a drop back to $1.15 is technically possible .

Verdict: XRP is a speculative buy for traders looking for a volatility spike. It is a hold for current investors. For new investors, it is only a good investment if you believe in regulatory clarity within the next 30 days. Technically, waiting for a confirmed break above $1.55 (to avoid the fakeout) is safer than buying at $1.43.

FAQ

Q: Will XRP go up if the CLARITY Act passes?

A: Yes, historically. Analysts predict that if the CLARITY Act passes, signaling that XRP is a commodity, it would remove the regulatory overhang. This could trigger a surge in institutional buying, pushing the price from the current $1.43 range to test the $1.80 - $2.00 resistance levels quickly.

Q: Why is XRP dropping when Bitcoin is going up?

A: XRP has specific supply dynamics. Unlike Bitcoin, which has a fixed supply issuance, XRP faces periodic sell-pressure from Ripple's treasury wallets used to fund ODL (liquidity) services. Additionally, the $1.45 "break-even" wall causes XRP to drop relative to BTC when short-term traders exit.

Q: Is a volatility spike imminent for XRP?

A: Yes. The Bollinger Bands on the daily chart are squeezing. The price is stuck between support at $1.33 and resistance at $1.45. Historically, when XRP volume surges 23% in a week (as it did on April 21), it precedes a violent move. The direction depends on whether the $1.45 resistance breaks.

Q: What is the XRP ETF netflow status?

A: As of late April 2026, XRP ETFs are seeing positive netflows. The US ETFs recorded a single week inflow of $119.6 million in mid-April. Cumulative inflows are strong at $12.8 billion, indicating that institutions are accumulating during this dip, which is a long-term bullish signal for price stabilization.

Q: Is XRP a good investment for beginners?

A: XRP is less volatile than "meme coins" but more volatile than Bitcoin. For beginners, it is a moderate-risk investment. Its value is tied to real utility (bank payments). However, beginners should wait to see if the price can close a weekly candle above $1.55 before entering, to avoid buying into the current resistance wall.

Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes, or is intended to constitute, investment advice. Trading cryptocurrencies carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Always do your own research.

About WEEX

Founded in 2018, WEEX has developed into a global crypto exchange with over 6.2 million users across more than 150 countries. The platform emphasizes security, liquidity, and usability, providing over 1,200 spot trading pairs and offering up to 400x leverage in crypto futures trading. In addition to the traditional spot and derivatives markets, WEEX is expanding rapidly in the AI era — delivering real-time AI news, empowering users with AI trading tools, and exploring innovative trade-to-earn models that make intelligent trading more accessible to everyone. Its 1,000 BTC Protection Fund further strengthens asset safety and transparency, while features such as copy trading and advanced trading tools allow users to follow professional traders and experience a more efficient, intelligent trading journey.

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