Highlights
Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), the company behind Truth Social, is planning to raise $3 billion to buy cryptocurrencies. This fundraising move signals a deeper push into digital assets by a firm controlled by the Trump family, who are closely tied to the current U.S. presidential administration.
According to six individuals familiar with the matter, TMTG plans to raise $2 billion through new equity and another $1 billion via a convertible bond. The timing of the announcement may coincide with a major crypto event in Las Vegas this week. Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and Trump’s crypto advisor David Sachs are expected to attend the conference.
The company’s funding strategy resembles the one used by MicroStrategy, which has become a major corporate holder of Bitcoin.
MicroStrategy raised funds through equity and debt offerings and invested the proceeds into digital assets. TMTG’s stock closed last Friday at $25.72, giving it a market capitalization close to $6 billion. The capital raise is expected to occur on “at-the-market” terms, meaning shares will be sold at or near their current trading price.
TMTG’s move follows recent activity from Trump-linked businesses that support digital assets. The company has been involved with memecoins, NFT trading cards, crypto mining, and now a new exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on cryptocurrency. Last week, Donald Trump hosted a private event at his Washington-area resort, where investors in his TRUMP-themed memecoin were invited to attend.
TMTG is also working with Crypto.com to launch its crypto ETF. The exchange will assist with managing digital assets and related securities within the fund. Two firms, ClearStreet and BTIG, are expected to help underwrite the upcoming capital raise, according to two sources briefed on the deal.
A similar deal was recently announced by a blank cheque company led by Brandon Lutnick. That $3.6 billion venture aims to build a Bitcoin buying entity in collaboration with Tether and SoftBank.
The fundraising efforts have raised fresh concerns about ethics and legality. Some critics argue that close financial involvement in cryptocurrency could present conflicts of interest, given Trump’s position as U.S. president. A recent event hosted by Trump led to controversy when he reportedly wore the presidential seal during a private crypto dinner. The White House stated it was a personal event. However, wearing the seal at a non-official event could breach federal law, which carries a penalty of up to six months in jail.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters introduced a new bill titled the “Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act.” The proposed legislation aims to bar U.S. officials, including the president, from trading or promoting cryptocurrencies while in office.
Movement Labs, which is linked to World Liberty Financial, another Trump-connected firm, is also under scrutiny. Allegations have surfaced regarding unfair deals with early investors
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