Bitcoin vs. the rest: The lesson from Trump and Melania’s meme-coins

To answer this question, we must understand Bitcoin’s fundamental principles and vision. Bitcoin was not created as a passing trend or a short-term speculative play. Its goal is to be a censorship-resistant financial tool, allowing anyone to exchange it freely without restrictions.

Bitcoin operates on a peer-to-peer (P2P) technological protocol built on three key elements: advanced cryptography, distributed systems, and blockchain. This protocol is maintained by a global network of “miners,” ensuring decentralization and resistance to censorship. No government or corporation can centrally control Bitcoin. Moreover, Bitcoin requires continuous maintenance and updates, but unlike centralized cryptocurrencies, it does not rely on a single entity for its development. Instead, its governance is entrusted to a decentralized community of developers, with no single organization in control.

This dual decentralization—both technological and organizational—makes Bitcoin unique in the financial landscape. It is not only resistant to censorship but also represents a new paradigm of economic freedom.

Bitcoin’s success is undeniable. From zero to over $2 trillion in market capitalization, it ranks among the world’s top six economic entities, positioned right after Alphabet (Google) and ahead of Saudi Aramco. This is not just a financial speculation, but an established asset recognized globally as a store of value. Furthermore, Bitcoin has found its way into the portfolios of major financial institutions. Giants like BlackRock, Fidelity, and JPMorgan have begun offering investment products based on BTC. Recently, even Intesa Sanpaolo announced its exposure to Bitcoin, underscoring the growing interest of traditional banks in BTC as a store of value and a portfolio diversification tool.

By contrast, other cryptocurrencies—including meme-coins—lack Bitcoin’s solid foundation. Many are clumsy attempts to mimic Bitcoin’s success, often introducing technological modifications that ultimately weaken their core principles. Meme-coins, in particular, are created as mere jokes, with no real utility or long-term vision. They rely on hype and speculation, attracting unsuspecting investors with fleeting promises. In most cases, a significant portion of the initial token supply is allocated to the promoters and developers, who control most of the liquidity. This often leads to abrupt crashes, as promoters sell off their holdings once speculative peaks are reached.

A striking example is the Hawk Tuah meme-coin, inspired by the viral sensation behind the infamous “Hawk Tuah” gesture. The token saw a sharp collapse after its promoters cashed out, leaving investors with virtually worthless tokens.

The cycle is always the same: an enthusiastic launch, a rapid value surge driven by speculation, followed by an equally swift collapse.

Bitcoin continues to prove its resilience and intrinsic value, while alternative cryptocurrencies often turn out to be speculative schemes doomed to fade over time. The Trump Coin and Melania Coin were never “Trump’s Bitcoin” or “Melania’s Bitcoin,” just as no other cryptocurrency can ever be Bitcoin.

Lesson learned: the alternative financial tool already exists—and it’s called Bitcoin.