Trump Ventures into Blockchain Gaming with Monopoly-Inspired Crypto Game

According to Fortune, President Donald Trump is expanding his presence in cryptocurrency space with an ambitious new project: a blockchain-based real estate video game reminiscent of the classic board game Monopoly. A source informed Fortune that the game is being developed by Trump's longtime associate Bill Zanker, who previously helped Trump in launching a memecoin and various NFT collections. This venture will add to the Trump family's growing crypto portfolio, which already encompasses memecoins, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform WLFI, bitcoin mining operations, and a proposed stablecoin.

Reports indicate that Trump's new project is a mobile game that merges real estate trading with blockchain technology. Players can navigate a digital board, constructing buildings in a virtual city to earn in-game cryptocurrency. While comparisons have been drawn to Scopely's popular mobile game Monopoly GO!, Kevin Mercuri, Zanker's spokesperson, clarified that Zanker is developing an original creation, set for release in late April 2025, but denied any similarities with Monopoly. Sources reveal that Trump's team sought a license for a Trump-branded Monopoly game last year but was rejected by Hasbro, the brand’s owner, leading to the creation of this crypto-focused title.

Notably, in February 2025, Trump's DTTM Operations filed numerous trademark applications for a Trump-branded metaverse and NFT marketplace. This has sparked speculation about whether the game will integrate Trump-related NFTs and metaverse elements. The inclusion of NFTs suggests players may be able to own, trade, or monetize unique in-game assets, such as virtual properties or collectibles, aligning with the play-to-earn (P2E) model prevalent in Web3 gaming.

Trump's crypto game could have significant implications for the Web3 gaming industry. If successful, it may drive mainstream adoption of blockchain-based games, particularly among non-crypto-native audiences attracted to the Trump brand. The integration of in-game cryptocurrency supports the ethos of decentralization, enabling players to own their digital assets. However, the project may face challenges, including potential regulatory hurdles surrounding NFT trading and concerns about the sustainability of P2E models, which have been criticized for prioritizing profits over gameplay quality.

If launched, the game will further expand the Trump family's cryptocurrency portfolio. Currently, their crypto ventures include World Liberty Financial (a DeFi platform), a proposed stablecoin (USD1), Bitcoin mining operations led by Eric and Donald Trump Jr., and memecoins tied to Donald and Melania Trump. According to Bloomberg's calculations based on public data, these projects have generated nearly $1 billion in book value, even accounting for market fluctuations driven by trade war concerns. The game could serve as a strategic pivot, offering a less speculative and more interactive entry point into the Trump crypto ecosystem.

The announcement of the game has not yet triggered significant price movements for the TRUMP memecoin. As of this writing, TRUMP is trading at $7.72, down 2.5% over the past 24 hours, according to CoinGecko.