Cryptocurrencies are "like a scam," Donald Trump criticized in 2019. Meanwhile, the ex-president has issued two NFT collections and owns US$500,000 worth of Ethereum.

According to a document published by the US Federal Ethics Agency (OGE), Donald Trump owns cryptocurrencies worth up to half a million US dollars. According to the document, the former US president has between US$250,000 and US$500,000 in Ethereum on a cryptowallet stand. In addition, the funds are related to the NFT collection that Trump launched - an advertising campaign for his presidential candidacy a year from now.

The campaign follows his defeat by Joe Biden in 2020. On the NFT's Trump can be seen in a variety of roles, including superhero, cowboy or astronaut. The first collection was launched in December 2022 for about US$99 per NFT. In April, Trump released a second NFT collection, also for US$99 per NFT. The collection sold out after a few hours. Exclusive prizes were advertised: dinner with Donald Trump, a round of golf or a personal Zoom meeting.

Bitcoin-criticus Trump versus Republikein

Trump expressed skepticism during his presidency About Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is "like a scam." The Republican prefers the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency, as he confirmed to Fox Business. "I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies that are not money and whose value is very volatile and based on thin air," he wrote on Twitter in 2019. Unregulated crypto assets could encourage illegal behavior, including drug trafficking and other illegal activities, he added.

I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air. Unregulated Crypto Assets can facilitate unlawful behavior, including drug trade and other illegal activity....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2019

Trump's cryptoskepticism contrasts with the sentiments of his fellow party members. Many Republicans favor Bitcoin and oppose the U.S. dollar in digital form. Even during the election campaign, some Republicans, including Ron DeSantis, have already made Bitcoin a political issue, hoping to win additional votes. On the Democratic side, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports the Bitcoin story - including for his election campaign.

From a recent NY Times poll revealed that 17 percent of potential Republican voters support Ron DeSantis as a presidential candidate. Trump stands at 54 percent. Among Democrats, Biden remains in the lead with about 62 percent, ahead of Kennedy Jr. with just 19 percent, according to data from an election prediction.