More than 200 cryptocurrency investors will converge on Washington for an unprecedented dinner with US President Donald Trump, having collectively spent a staggering $394 million on his official $TRUMP tokens to secure their seats.
This exclusive gathering at Trump National Golf Club represents one of the most expensive dinners in political history, with the average attendee spending nearly $1.8 million for their place at the table.
Top Token Holders
As covered by NBC News, blockchain analytics firm Nansen has outlined the remarkable financial dynamics behind this controversial event. The spending patterns among the 220 “winners” show extreme variations: the top seven investors committed more than $10 million each to $TRUMP tokens, while the bottom 24 spent under $100,000 each. One-third of attendees (67 individuals) spent over $1 million on the tokens to secure their invitation.
The contest, which ended last Monday, determined eligibility based on token holdings at a specific timestamp. While some winners have since sold portions of their holdings, the initial investment required to secure a seat far exceeds traditional political contribution limits.
Even the lowest-spending winner invested significantly more than the $3,500 federal limit for direct campaign donations. Justin Sun, a crypto entrepreneur and citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, has been identified as the top spender.
Confirmed attendees include Singapore-based crypto startup MemeCore and Australian investor Kain Warwick, founder of crypto exchange Infinex. Danish trader Morten Christensen and four associates also secured invitations, reportedly spending just $1,200 each through a sophisticated trading strategy involving short positions.
Legal Questions Raised
The dinner’s financial structure has drawn scrutiny because 80% of the $TRUMP token project is owned by Trump-related entities—CIC Digital and Fight Fight Fight LLC. Additionally, each token transaction generates fees, with an estimated $900,000 in transaction fees generated in just the first two days after the contest announcement.
While the competition website notes that Trump is attending “as a guest” and not directly fundraising, legal experts point out the unusual nature of this arrangement.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the president, stating: “President Trump is working to secure good deals for the American people, not for himself,” adding that he “only acts in the best interests of the American public.”
The dinner comes amid significant developments in cryptocurrency regulation worldwide. While Hong Kong recently passed landmark stablecoin legislation establishing a comprehensive licensing regime, the U.S. continues to develop its approach through the GENIUS Act, which passed a procedural vote earlier this week.
Several dinner attendees are reportedly eager to discuss Trump’s previously announced plans for a “strategic crypto reserve,” a concept that would position the United States as the first major nation to hold significant cryptocurrency assets as national reserves. Analysts suggest this gathering could influence forthcoming regulatory frameworks and potentially accelerate cryptocurrency adoption at both federal and state levels.
The formal dinner begins at 7:00 p.m., with guests arriving from 5:30 p.m. The top 25 token holders will reportedly receive a White House tour before the main event.
