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<p>The income generated by cryptocurrencies continues to fuel political debates in the United States. After the publication of information reporting gains exceeding $1.4 billion from activities related to digital assets, Trump finds himself once again at the center of discussions. This time, Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand proposes to ban politicians and their spouses from issuing or promoting memecoins. This initiative revives the debate on conflicts of interest, digital asset regulation, and the ethical rules applicable to American elected officials.</p>
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  <h2 class="in-brief--title" id="in-brief">In brief</h2>
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   <li>Kirsten Gillibrand proposes to ban elected officials and their spouses from issuing or promoting memecoins.</li>
   <li>Donald Trump reportedly earned over $1.2 billion through his cryptocurrency activities last year.</li>
   <li>The senator believes this reform is necessary to limit conflicts of interest and strengthen ethical rules.</li>
   <li>The debate could influence discussions around the Clarity Act and future cryptocurrency regulations in the United States.</li>
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<h2 id="h-trump-at-the-heart-of-a-new-bill-proposal">Trump at the Heart of a New Bill Proposal</h2>
<p>New financial disclosures have prompted New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to renew her call for stricter oversight. According to information published this week, <a href="https://www.cointribune.com/en/bitcoin-ethereum-and-memecoins-trump-displays-a-colossal-crypto-portfolio-worth-over-1-1-billion/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Trump reportedly generated over $1.4 billion from his cryptocurrency activities</a> in the past year. This situation, according to the elected official, reinforces the need to review the rules governing politicians.</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
 <p><em>This is a common-sense requirement that should garner broad bipartisan support: elected officials and their spouses should not issue memecoins. We cannot allow conflicts of interest to compromise efforts to strengthen consumer protection, combat illicit finance, and expand economic opportunities for the millions of Americans left behind by our financial system.</em></p><cite><strong>Kirsten Gillibrand, Democratic Senator. Source: Senator’s press release.</strong></cite>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-calls-to-ban-trump-and-elected-officials-from-issuing-memecoins/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">proposal</a> aims to prohibit elected officials and their spouses from issuing or promoting digital assets, including memecoins. In this context, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are directly concerned. The president is said to have earned more than $635 million through his memecoin developed on the Solana blockchain. For Kirsten Gillibrand, this measure is a matter of common sense likely to receive bipartisan support.</p>
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<h2 id="h-kirsten-gillibrand-highlights-ethical-issues">Kirsten Gillibrand Highlights Ethical Issues</h2>
<p>Beyond Trump’s case, the senator asserts her aim to strengthen the ethical rules applicable to public officials. She believes conflicts of interest risk undermining efforts to protect consumers, combat illicit finance, and promote better access to financial services. Her goal is therefore to prevent elected officials from profiting financially from their positions.</p>
<p>Kirsten Gillibrand occupies a particular place in the cryptocurrency debate. Although she is among the most pro-sector Democratic senators, she also supports a stricter ethical framework.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, she participated in a <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/30/gillibrand-mccormick-team-up-to-crack-down-on-prediction-markets-00901671" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">bipartisan initiative</a> aimed at preventing Congress members from betting on prediction markets. She also advocated for <a href="https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-urges-passage-of-her-bill-to-ban-stock-trading-by-members-of-congress-and-other-senior-government-officials/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">a ban on stock trading for officials</a> during their term. According to her, Trump, Congress members, and their spouses should not be able to financially benefit from their positions.</p>
<h2 id="h-memecoins-also-fuel-the-crypto-regulation-debate">Memecoins Also Fuel the Crypto Regulation Debate</h2>
<p>Ethical <a href="https://decrypt.co/372749/senator-gillibrand-ban-trump-elected-officials-launching-meme-coins" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">issues have also influenced discussions around the Clarity Act</a>, the bill dedicated to the cryptocurrency market structure. In May, a senator indicated that “<em>the bill could not move forward without adding provisions concerning President Trump’s activities.”</em> This request aimed to include specific rules governing public officials’ financial interests.</p>
<p>Ultimately, when the bill passed a key stage in the Senate, no compromise had been reached on these ethical provisions. Despite this lack of agreement, discussions about Trump and memecoins continue to play an important role in the negotiations.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Galaxy researchers now estimate that the chances of the <a href="https://www.cointribune.com/en/crypto-coinbase-ripple-and-200-industry-players-call-on-the-senate-for-a-vote-on-the-clarity-act/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Clarity Act</a> being adopted this year are close to 50%. According to their analysis, the main obstacle remains the legislative timetable rather than a lack of political will. Debates around Trump may thus continue to accompany the evolution of cryptocurrency regulatory frameworks in the coming months.</p>
<p>The upcoming discussions in Congress will measure whether Kirsten Gillibrand’s proposals will find sufficient support. Meanwhile, the debate around Trump, <a href="https://www.cointribune.com/en/tag/memecoin-meme-en/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">memecoins</a>, and ethical rules could continue to influence the development of crypto regulation in the United States, as several legislative texts are still under discussion.</p>
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A Senator Seeks to Block Trump’s Memecoin Income

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