The crypto community is split over Donald Trump’s launch of the $TRUMP memecoin and First Lady Melania Trump’s $MELANIA token. Now, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of leading crypto exchange Binance, has joined the discussion with a diplomatic yet concise take, stating, “I can see both sides of the argument.”
A day before his inauguration, President Trump launched $TRUMP, which skyrocketed over 400%, sparking heated debates within the crypto community. Earlier today, CZ, the former CEO of Binance, shared his perspective on the pros and cons of the controversial memecoin launch.
I can see both sides of the argument. And I can’t say I know which is right or wrong.
Potential arguments for memes:
Crypto is not a zero-sum game. Some of the people buying $trump were probably not in crypto before. So it probably helped to grow the space, even if just a…
— CZ ???? BNB (@cz_binance) January 23, 2025
“I can see both sides of the argument. And I can’t say I know which is right or wrong,” CZ said, setting the prelude for his balanced perspective. He went on to highlight both the positives and negatives of the memecoin phenomenon.
CZ : A Pro-Memecoin Argument
Presenting the benefits, CZ remarked, “Crypto is not a zero-sum game. Some of the people buying $TRUMP were probably not in crypto before. So it probably helped to grow the space, even if just a little bit. It also validates crypto when the President of the United States issues a meme coin.” He added that the volatility of memecoins attracts pure speculators, which is a common behavior in the crypto space.
CZ : Against Memecoins Argument
However, CZ acknowledged the downsides, stating, “No utility or long-term value. No intrinsic value, etc. (Heard that about Bitcoin too.)” He also pointed out the short-term greed often associated with memecoin launches.
Despite his critique, CZ stood by the freedom to launch or buy memecoins, emphasizing that it aligns with the core principles of decentralization. He concluded, “I am a builder myself. I have not bought meme coins (or NFTs). But just because I don’t know how to appreciate something doesn’t mean I am against it.”
$TRUMP, $MELANIA Controversy
The launch of Trump’s memecoin has stirred controversy, reigniting debates about the trend of memecoins, which many crypto executives criticized last year. The divisive opinions surrounding $TRUMP have been a major topic in the crypto market over the past few days.
In addition to builders in the crypto space, several Democratic lawmakers, including Elizabeth Warren, have condemned Trump’s business move. Warren has gone as far as calling for an ethical investigation into $TRUMP and $MELANIA.
Currently, $TRUMP is trading at $34.65 after a 6.4% dip in the past day, bringing its market value to $6.93 billion.
Meanwhile, $MELANIA is trading at $2.72, following an 11% decline over the same period.
Also read: Cathie Wood Defends $TRUMP, Says It May Have Practical Value in the Future