- Donald Trump defended his $1.4B crypto earnings, saying there is “nothing illegal.”
- His 2025 financial disclosure showed crypto became his largest income source.
- Trump said he does not manage his investments, and his son Eric Trump oversees his assets.
President Donald Trump defended the more than $1.4 billion he earned from cryptocurrency ventures in 2025, dismissing criticism over possible conflicts of interest and insisting there was “nothing illegal” about the income.
Speaking during a CNBC interview on Thursday, Trump said he was not directly involved in managing the investments that generated the profits. Instead, he said outside financial firms and his son Eric Trump handle his assets while he remains focused on serving as president.
The comments came days after Trump’s annual financial disclosure revealed that cryptocurrency had become the biggest source of his income since returning to the White House.
Crypto became Trump’s largest income source
Trump’s 2025 financial disclosure showed total income of about $2.2 billion. More than $1.4 billion of that came from cryptocurrency-related businesses.
The filing disclosed roughly $500 million to $520 million from token sales tied to World Liberty Financial, the crypto platform launched with his sons Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Barron Trump. Other reports estimated World Liberty Financial contributed close to $800 million in crypto-related income.
Another major source was the Official TRUMP memecoin. The disclosure showed about $635 million in royalties and token-sale proceeds through CIC Digital LLC.
The filing also included hundreds of millions of dollars from real estate, golf properties, licensing agreements, merchandise sales, and legal settlements. Even so, crypto generated more revenue than Trump’s traditional businesses during the year.
Trump rejects conflict-of-interest claims
During the interview, CNBC host Joe Kernen questioned Trump about whether his position as president created a conflict because his administration now oversees policies that affect the cryptocurrency industry.
Trump replied that he did not know the details of the crypto income before the financial disclosure became public.
“I could know about it. I didn’t. There’s nothing illegal. There’s nothing wrong with it.”
When Kernen referenced a federal law that limits executive branch officials from participating in matters affecting their financial interests, Trump said he was unaware of the statute.
He argued that conflicts are difficult to avoid because nearly every government policy can affect businesses owned by his family. According to Trump, even ordinary investments made by his children could be viewed as benefiting from presidential decisions because of the broad influence of the White House.
The White House has continued to reject allegations of conflicts of interest, saying Trump’s businesses are managed separately by his adult sons and that administration decisions are made in the public interest.
Trump also said he does not personally direct his investment portfolio, adding that large financial institutions manage the assets while his son Eric oversees the family business.
Trump says the US must lead crypto
Trump defended his support for digital assets by framing cryptocurrency as a strategic industry rather than simply a business opportunity.
He said the United States must remain the global leader in crypto or risk allowing China to dominate the sector. He compared the competition in digital assets to the race for leadership in artificial intelligence, arguing that both industries are critical for America’s future.
Trump has become one of the cryptocurrency industry’s strongest political supporters after previously criticizing Bitcoin several years ago.
Since returning to office, his administration has introduced policies viewed as favorable to the sector, including rules for stablecoins and a lighter enforcement approach from the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The president also argued that his financial gains were not unique, saying rising markets have benefited investors broadly.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.
