Trump family crypto empire income surges 17-fold amid ethical concerns

President Donald Trump's family has significantly expanded their involvement in cryptocurrency and online betting businesses during his second term, reportedly generating over $800 million in income in the first half of 2025. The Trump family's ventures include the Truth Social platform's new "Truth Predict" betting market in partnership with Crypto.com, and the crypto asset sales driven largely by foreign investors, orchestrated through World Liberty Financial, a digital finance platform launched by Trump's sons. This financial surge has drawn scrutiny due to ethical concerns and potential conflicts of interest, as the president himself exerts considerable influence over matters that could be wagered upon in these markets. Republican Rep. James Comer defended the Trump family's activities, emphasizing transparency and disclosure compared to the Biden family, while acknowledging the need for ethics reform. However, critics highlight the troubling overlap between the president's public role and private financial gains, with some investors linked to investigations for money laundering. This emerging narrative underscores ongoing debates about transparency, influence, and ethics at the highest levels of government and business.