The Trump family is reportedly launching a blockchain-based real estate game inspired by Monopoly GO!, set for release in late April 2025. Led by longtime Trump associate Bill Zanker, the game features mechanics where players earn in-game currency and build digital properties on a virtual board, integrating crypto elements like NFTs and possibly meme coins. While sources compare it to Monopoly, Hasbro, the owner of the Monopoly franchise, has denied licensing its IP for this project. Zanker also attempted to reacquire rights to “Trump: The Game,” a 1989 Monopoly-style board game, but Hasbro no longer holds those rights.
This venture is part of the Trump family’s broader crypto portfolio, including NFTs, a stablecoin (USD1), decentralized finance (World Liberty Financial), and Bitcoin mining. The crypto community has expressed skepticism, citing unclear tokenomics and potential legal issues with Hasbro over gameplay similarities. The Trump family’s blockchain-based game, inspired by Monopoly GO! and incorporating NFTs and crypto elements, carries several implications across economic, legal, cultural, and political spheres.
The game could drive mainstream adoption of blockchain gaming by leveraging the Trump brand’s visibility, attracting new users to NFTs and cryptocurrencies. However, the lack of transparency around tokenomics (e.g., whether the TRUMP meme coin or other tokens will be used) raises concerns about volatility and speculative bubbles. The TRUMP token’s 89% value drop highlights risks of hype-driven investments.
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 19 (Feb 9 – May 2, 2026): big discounts for early bird.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register for Tekedia AI Lab: From Technical Design to Deployment (next edition begins Jan 24 2026).
The game expands the Trump family’s crypto portfolio (NFTs, stablecoin USD1, DeFi via World Liberty Financial, Bitcoin mining), potentially generating significant revenue. Financial filings indicate a Trump-linked company earns 75% of World Liberty Financial’s net revenue, suggesting a similar model could apply here. Crypto community skepticism, due to unclear details and past Trump project failures (e.g., TRUMP meme coin), may limit the game’s economic impact unless robust mechanics and transparency are delivered.
Hasbro’s denial of licensing Monopoly’s IP and Zanker’s failed attempt to reacquire “Trump: The Game” rights in 2024 suggest potential legal risks if gameplay too closely mirrors Monopoly GO!. Copyright disputes could delay or derail the launch. The integration of NFTs and crypto rewards (potentially “play-to-earn” mechanics) could attract SEC attention, especially if tokens are deemed securities. The Trump family’s crypto ventures, tied to Donald Trump’s political influence and pro-crypto policy shifts (e.g., Bitcoin Reserve executive order), raise questions about conflicts of interest. Critics argue that personal financial stakes in crypto could skew regulatory decisions, amplifying scrutiny.
The game’s high-profile branding could onboard non-crypto users via gamified mechanics, similar to Axie Infinity’s success with NFTs and crypto rewards. Media coverage explaining “what is a crypto game?” to millions could normalize blockchain concepts. The Trump brand’s polarizing nature may split reception, with supporters embracing the game as a bold innovation and critics viewing it as a “cash grab” or “rug pull.” reflect this divide, with some predicting a “giga pump” and others an “incoming circus.”
By focusing on virtual real estate and NFTs, the game taps into growing interest in metaverse-like ecosystems, potentially shaping trends in digital ownership and virtual economies. Trump’s crypto ventures align with his administration’s pro-crypto stance, including tariff pauses benefiting global markets and crypto-friendly policies. The game could amplify his narrative as a crypto champion, influencing voter perceptions.
The timing—amid trade wars and political responsibilities—may fuel accusations of prioritizing personal ventures over governance. Eric Trump’s defense of the family’s crypto passion (“heart and soul”) aims to counter such narratives but may not quell critics. The game’s launch could reinforce Trump’s image as a disruptive innovator in digital finance, but international skepticism (e.g., from regions like China affected by U.S. tariffs) may complicate its global reception.
The game could push blockchain gaming forward by integrating NFTs for property ownership and possibly stablecoins or meme coins for transactions. However, without clear details on blockchain implementation, its technical impact remains speculative. Success hinges on delivering a seamless, engaging experience. Past Trump crypto projects (e.g., NFT collections) faced criticism for lackluster execution, so technical robustness will be critical.
