Trump-linked crypto rumour sparks frenzy as $DJT ticker fuels confusion

  • Ran Neuner claimed a Truth Social meme coin was launching in 72 hours.
  • Past TMTG plans had discussed a digital rewards token, but none were launched.
  • Meme coin speculation around Trump-branded assets remains high.

A rumour about a Truth Social meme coin sent social media and crypto traders into a tailspin this week before being swiftly denied by all official Trump-linked entities.

The speculation started with a viral tweet from Crypto Banter host Ran Neuner.

Although these claims were quashed by Donald Trump Jr., World Liberty Financial (WLFI), and Truth Social itself, the use of “$DJT” in the platform’s X profile has kept speculation alive in some corners of the market.

Trump-linked groups deny claims

The controversy erupted on Monday when Neuner posted on X that a “Truth Social Memecoin” would be launching within 72 hours, suggesting it was being backed by the same team that previously launched the TRUMP token.

That post rapidly circulated among meme coin investors, who interpreted the news as a signal of a new Trump-themed token entering the market.

Enthusiasts drew parallels to the earlier TRUMP token, which gained traction during the US election season.

Some saw this as a potential signal for another rally tied to the political branding of Donald Trump.

Within hours of the rumour gaining traction, several official Trump-linked platforms and individuals issued denials.

Truth Social, operated by Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), made clear that no meme coin was in development or launch.

World Liberty Financial, a DeFi project associated with the Trump family, also clarified that it remains the only crypto project backed by them.

WLFI issued a warning to users, noting that “anyone pushing fake tokens” is likely running a scam targeting uninformed investors.

Donald Trump Jr. further emphasised that there was “no truth whatsoever” to the rumour and asked people to avoid falling for misleading claims.

Neuner later acknowledged the backlash, posting a follow-up to indicate that denials had been issued and no confirmation existed about a Truth Social-linked crypto token.

TMTG’s past token idea resurfaces

Although the current wave of speculation has been publicly denied, it follows earlier reports that Trump Media was exploring ways to monetise its digital platforms.

Devin Nunes, CEO and Chairman of TMTG, had previously mentioned a digital rewards programme that could involve a token launched within a Truth+ digital wallet.

Those ideas were floated in internal planning stages but never moved to public rollout or announcement.

Despite that, lingering memories of the proposal have resurfaced amid the current speculation, adding fuel to online forums discussing DJT-related meme coins.

The ticker “$DJT” itself — primarily used for TMTG’s stock — further complicated the matter.

Since X profiles can include dollar-sign tickers, users spotted that Truth Social’s X account includes “$DJT” in its handle.

This was interpreted by some as a crypto ticker, though it has no blockchain listing.

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Best crypto to buy: XRP, ADA and Bitcoin Pepe

  • The total cryptocurrency market capitalization declined by 1.7% over the past 24 hours to $3.29 trillion.
  • As the broader market stalls after yesterday’s rally, XRP, Cardano (ADA), and Bitcoin Pepe are beginning to show signs of major upside.
  • BPEP tokens are currently priced at $0.0326, with the presale scheduled to end on May 31, 2025.

The total cryptocurrency market capitalization declined by 1.7% over the past 24 hours to $3.29 trillion, even as equity markets continued to post gains.

A strengthening US dollar, driven by renewed tariff-related developments, weighed on crypto prices.

This pressure was amplified by Bitcoin’s recent rally to near-record levels, prompting short-term profit-taking.

Despite the pullback, investor sentiment remains firm. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index held steady at 70 for the fourth consecutive day, reflecting ongoing risk appetite in the market.

Bitcoin illustrated its typical volatility on Tuesday, briefly dipping to $100.5k before recovering to $102.7k, suggesting that the decline was primarily driven by profit booking followed by renewed buying interest.

With market optimism largely intact, price behavior around the $105k level remains a key area to watch in the near term.

As the broader market stalls after yesterday’s rally, XRP, Cardano (ADA), and Bitcoin Pepe are beginning to show signs of major upside.

Cardano

Cardano (ADA) fell 4% to $0.785 on Tuesday, marking a pause in its recent bullish trend following a 19% rally last week.

The decline suggests some loss of momentum in the short term, but broader sentiment within the Cardano community remains resilient.

Investor optimism has been buoyed by the long-awaited integration of ADA into the Brave Wallet, a move that enhances Cardano’s real-world utility.

The announcement was followed by comments from Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson, who described the Brave integration as the “first of many” upcoming partnerships.

He added that these deals had originally been planned for 2022 but were delayed due to what he described as a lack of follow-through by an unnamed party: “A certain entity dropped the ball, we got ignored.”

Hoskinson said the remaining deals—linked to the Midnight release—will be rolled out over the coming summer and fall, contributing to growing expectations for continued development across the ecosystem.

Despite the recent price pullback, the improving sentiment around Cardano and its ongoing partnerships suggest investors are looking beyond short-term volatility.

XRP

Following a strong rally on Monday, XRP overtook Tether to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, which briefly crossed $150 billion.

Despite a pullback amid broader market corrections, XRP is still trading 4% higher on the 24-hour chart at $2.47.

Data from Coinglass indicates continued bullish sentiment among traders, with XRP futures open interest rising 14.42% to $5.29 billion and options volume jumping 76%.

Meanwhile, blockchain analytics firm Santiment reported that the XRP Ledger has reached a milestone of 6.5 million users—the highest in its 12-year history.

Bitcoin Pepe to list on May 31

Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) is positioning itself as a project that combines Bitcoin’s established presence in the crypto market with the viral momentum often seen in meme coins.

The project promotes its approach as a first-of-its-kind initiative, aiming to bridge the gap between the two segments. According to its messaging:

“The opportunity isn’t subtle. Meme coins hit $100B without Bitcoin. Bitcoin sits at $2T without memes. We’re the first to merge them.”

Investor interest has been building, with the ongoing presale raising over $8 million so far.

BPEP tokens are currently priced at $0.0326, with the presale scheduled to end on May 31, 2025.

A potential exchange listing is expected to follow soon after, which could act as a catalyst for further price movement.

With positive sentiment returning to the broader crypto market, Bitcoin Pepe may attract further attention from investors seeking exposure to speculative meme-driven assets.

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Pi Network price dips 25% after 8M unlock, with 13M more tokens set for May 15

  • 24-hour trading volume spikes to $1.63 billion.
  • One transaction moved 90M PI tokens.
  • Core Team announcement expected on May 14.

Pi Network (PI) has lost a quarter of its value in a single day, retreating from highs of $1.40 to around $1.10 after a fresh 8 million PI tokens were unlocked into circulation.

The token’s drop, which reversed a 100% rally just hours earlier, has placed renewed focus on its volatile trading activity and the upcoming 13 million token unlock scheduled for May 15 — a supply event that could add further downside pressure.

The abrupt decline began shortly after a week of intense trading interest.

On some exchanges, PI rose from around $0.70 to $1.29 and briefly peaked at $1.40 before retracing.

Pi Network price drops 25% after 8M token unlock, further 13M set to hit market on May 15

Source: CoinMarketCap

The surge saw a 24-hour trading volume of roughly $1.63 billion, propelled by significant on-chain activity.

One transaction alone involved 90 million PI tokens, indicating the growing influence of whale trades on short-term market direction.

Token unlock triggers sell-off

The May 11 sell-off coincided with the scheduled release of 8 million previously locked tokens, adding fresh supply into the market.

While token unlocks are routine for most crypto projects, the scale of this release triggered an immediate reaction from traders who rushed to offload positions in anticipation of dilution.

Pi Network’s upcoming May 15 unlock could introduce an even greater 13 million PI tokens to exchanges.

This has raised concerns among investors about whether the platform’s demand-side fundamentals can absorb such increases in circulating supply without further price erosion.

Some analysts note that unless the Pi Core Team makes a significant announcement before or during the May 15 unlock, PI’s price could test support zones near $0.80 or even $0.60.

The possibility of a cascade sell-off has grown more likely in the absence of new utility updates or listings.

Rumours and upcoming update

Despite the steep correction, community speculation remains active around a potential listing of PI on centralised exchanges.

Over the past week, rumours surfaced about an imminent Binance listing, which contributed to the surge in both price and volume. These rumours remain unverified at the time of writing.

Adding to the speculation is an expected statement from the Pi Core Team scheduled for May 14.

Details about the nature of this update have not been disclosed, but the timing — just one day before the next major token unlock — has led to expectations of either a product rollout, exchange partnership, or mainnet progress report.

Many in the community consider the upcoming announcement as a make-or-break moment.

If the developers fail to meet expectations, sentiment could sour further, increasing the likelihood of sustained price weakness through the second half of May.

Volatility highlights price discovery

While Pi Network’s volatility has unsettled some traders, others argue that PI is still undergoing price discovery — a common phase in the lifecycle of emerging crypto assets.

During this period, large fluctuations are not unusual as the market searches for fair value based on supply, demand, and speculative interest.

Since trading began on centralised platforms in December 2023, PI has lacked a fully defined value range due to restricted withdrawals and limited exchange support.

As these constraints gradually lift and token unlocks proceed, the asset’s price is expected to stabilise, though near-term movements are likely to remain headline-driven.

That said, the upcoming 13 million token release will be a key test for Pi Network’s resilience. If the project can pair this with a tangible update or exchange news, it could prevent further decline.

But in the absence of such developments, traders may see deeper retracements before a new support floor is established.

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Crypto news today: Coinbase shares surge on S&P 500 inclusion news, marking crypto milestone

  • Coinbase (COIN) shares surged over 8% after-hours on news of its S&P 500 inclusion.
  • Coinbase will replace Discover Financial in the index effective before market open on May 19.
  • The inclusion marks a significant milestone, giving broad investor/portfolio exposure to a crypto firm.

Shares of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase (COIN) experienced a significant surge in after-hours trading on Monday following the landmark announcement that the company will be added to the prestigious S&P 500 stock index.

This inclusion marks a pivotal moment for Coinbase and the broader digital asset industry, signaling increased mainstream acceptance and potentially ushering in a new wave of investor exposure.

A new entrant to Wall Street’s premier index

Coinbase is set to join the S&P 500, which tracks 500 of the largest publicly traded US companies across diverse sectors, effective before the market opens on May 19.

According to an S&P press release, Coinbase will replace Discover Financial Services (DFS) in the index, as Discover is currently in the process of being acquired by Capital One.

With a market capitalization nearing $53 billion, Coinbase, which currently trades on the Nasdaq exchange, will soon rub shoulders with Wall Street titans like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google within the S&P 500.

Crypto gains mainstream exposure

The inclusion of a crypto-focused company like Coinbase in such a widely followed benchmark index is a significant development.

It means that millions of everyday investors, as well as numerous model portfolios and index-tracking funds, will now gain direct exposure to the digital asset sector through their holdings.

The anticipated impact on trading volume is substantial. “COIN about to be in every portfolio in America,” commented Juan Leon, senior investment strategist at asset manager Bitwise, in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

He projected, “The S&P 500 inclusion is going to force 7x the daily trading volume into [the] stock,” as index funds rebalance their portfolios to include the new constituent.

News of the impending S&P 500 inclusion sparked immediate investor excitement.

Coinbase shares jumped to as high as $225 in post-market trading, an increase of 8.6%, building upon a nearly 4% gain achieved during Monday’s regular trading session.

Coinbase’s journey and eligibility

This milestone comes just over three years after Coinbase’s public debut on the Nasdaq in 2021, at which time it had a market capitalization of $52.78 billion.

While its current share price (closing at $207.22 on Monday) remains below its 2021 peak (above $357), the company has increasingly bridged the gap between the crypto world and traditional finance, particularly as institutional interest in digital assets has grown.

Eligibility for the S&P 500 is stringent, requiring companies to report a profit in their most recent quarter and demonstrate cumulative profitability over the preceding four quarters.

According to CNBC reports, Coinbase has met all these criteria.

The company recently reported a profit of $65.6 million for its latest quarter. While this is a significant decrease from the $1.18 billion profit reported a year prior, its revenue has shown healthy year-over-year growth of approximately 24%, reaching $2.03 billion.

Coinbase’s addition to the S&P 500, which already includes a diverse range of technology companies beyond just large-cap tech, follows other recent tech-related inclusions such as Dell, Palantir, Super Micro Computer, and CrowdStrike, reflecting the evolving composition of the US economic landscape.


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Pippin, Moo Deng top meme coin charts as BTC hovers near $105K

  • Over $1.9 million in PIPPIN was sent to exchanges within 24 hours.
  • WIF gained 25%, backed by broader crypto market sentiment.
  • The meme coins face selling pressure after recent rallies.

Meme coins are staging a strong comeback, riding the momentum of Bitcoin’s recent rally past $105,000.

Bitcoin briefly crossed the $105K earlier on Monday, driving bullish sentiment across the crypto market and triggering sharp price spikes in several low-cap tokens.

Among the top gainers was Pippin (PIPPIN), which rose by over 80% in the past 24 hours, while Moo Deng (MOODENG) and dogwifhat (WIF) also posted double-digit gains.

The sudden capital inflows and breakout performances suggest a renewed investor appetite for speculative meme assets, with some already testing multi-month highs.

Pippin price jumps 85.16% as trading volume spikes

Launched in November 2024, PIPPIN has a total and maximum supply of 999.94 million tokens and a fully diluted valuation (FDV) of $47.2 million.

The token saw a dramatic 85.16% surge in the last 24 hours, positioning it as one of the best-performing meme coins in the market.

Despite being a small-cap project, PIPPIN attracted strong interest from both retail and institutional traders.

According to on-chain data from Nansen, more than $1.9 million worth of PIPPIN was moved into centralised exchanges over the same 24-hour period. This inflow suggests a mix of buying enthusiasm and early profit-taking.

The token’s current price action is consolidating near $0.047, just shy of a resistance level at $0.052.

Analysts watching the 3.13% bundle buy metric, which tracks how concentrated token ownership is, noted that PIPPIN’s wide token distribution indicates healthier ownership patterns compared to other meme coins.

Pippin price

Source: CoinMarketCap

If upward momentum holds, the price could target $0.064. However, excessive selling could pull it down to support at $0.035.

Moo Deng gains 12.71%, nears $0.24 resistance

Moo Deng (MOODENG), launched in September 2024 with a total supply of 989.97 million tokens, has posted a 12.71% price increase over the last 24 hours.

The coin’s fully diluted valuation currently stands at $238.59 million. At the time of reporting, MOODENG is trading at $0.24, reflecting intense bullish pressure.

Moodeng

Source: CoinMarketCap

Market watchers expect the coin to attempt a breakout above the $0.35 mark, which could pave the way for a run towards $0.50.

These predictions are based on a significant increase in trading volume and growing demand, with some investors seeing MOODENG as an under-the-radar candidate for short-term gains.

However, the token is also at risk of a correction after hitting a four-month high.

Should sellers dominate, MOODENG may fall below $0.24, with deeper support levels seen at $0.18 and $0.12. A breach of these levels would suggest weakening momentum and could nullify the coin’s short-term bullish structure.

Dogwifhat climbs 33.19%

Dogwifhat (WIF) is one of the more established meme coins on this list.

It has a total and max supply of 998.92 million tokens, and an FDV of $1.17 billion.

WIF’s price jumped 33.19% in the last 24 hours to reach $1.17, with momentum largely tied to Bitcoin’s ongoing rally.

Dogwifhat

Source: CoinMarketCap

Traders are eyeing resistance at $1.24. A clean break above this level could trigger a move towards $1.52, especially if sentiment in Bitcoin and broader meme assets remains bullish.

But like its peers, WIF faces downside risks.

If sellers take over, the price could fall below $1.04 and test support at $0.85.

This would undermine the current bullish momentum and reflect growing caution among traders.

The next 48 hours could be key for determining whether WIF maintains its rally or succumbs to market fatigue.

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