The $TRUMP chart is a perfect example of a classic boom-and-bust cycle, a pattern that we see all the time with hype-driven meme coins. It all started when Donald Trump first tweeted about it, sending the price skyrocketing as early investors, insiders, and whales jumped in, creating massive FOMO. But as always, what goes up must come down. Once the hype reached its peak and enough exit liquidity was in place, the smart money started cashing out, leaving retail traders trapped and holding the bag with heavy losses.
If you've ever wondered why you bought at the top expecting life changing returns and couldn’t sell, you're not alone. In this blog, we’ll break down exactly how you got caught in the trap and, more importantly, how to avoid falling into the same trap again.
Hype and the Initial Pump
The $Trump meme coin launched on January 17, 2025. Just three days before Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States.Trump himself announced $TRUMP on his X and Truth Social accounts, instantly sparking massive attention.
By looking at the chart, you can see how the price exploded right at launch. But was it just organic hype? Not quite. While Trump’s endorsement definitely fueled the rally, there’s a good chance insiders or whales were behind the scenes, accumulating tokens at low prices and then pumping the price through coordinated buying and marketing hype. The result? A massive pump that made it look like the next big thing and once in a lifetime opportunity until reality kicked in.
Distribution and the Dump Phase
After hitting its peak around $77, $TRUMP didn’t just dip it nosedived. If you check the 4-hour chart near the top, you’ll see a massive red candle, dropping over 50% in one move. That wasn’t just a random sell off, it was a textbook distribution phase.
Whales and insiders who got in early started offloading their bags while retail traders, still caught up in the hype, kept buying, thinking another pump was coming. But instead of bouncing back, the price kept sliding. Instead of cutting their losses, many people held on, hoping for another pump that never came. After the initial dump it recovered slightly, and then it went through a slow, painful grind downward. This is a classic move to keep people hopeful, making them think a comeback is right around the corner.
Every now and then, there were small bounces, just enough to make people think that it is going up again. But in reality, these moves were likely engineered by market makers to lure in fresh buyers.
Key Takeaways:
Avoid Buying at Peak Hype: The biggest trap is entering during euphoria when everyone is talking about the asset. By the time retail traders buy, whales are already dumping.
Look for Volume: Notice how the volume faded after the initial pump. This is a sign that interest is drying up, making it harder for prices to sustain.
Beware of Politicians / Celebrity Meme Coins: These assets are often driven by speculation rather than fundamentals, making them highly risky and easily manipulated. These meme coins often gain traction due to social media hype, and influential endorsements. Retail traders see this as an opportunity, ignoring the associated risk.
Understand the Game: Smart money (insiders, whales) accumulates early, pumps the price to attract attention, and then sells into the hype. If you don’t know where you fit in this cycle, you are likely to end up being the exit liquidity.
Risk Management: Never go all-in on hype-based assets. Having a stop-loss and an exit strategy is crucial to protect your capital.
Conclusion:
The TRUMP coin chart is a textbook example of a manipulated pump-and-dump cycle designed to trap retail traders. The major lesson is to remain cautious with hype-driven assets, analyze volume trends, and avoid FOMO-driven decisions.
TRUMP is currently trading around $11 with no signs of recovery. If you're wondering what’s next for $TRUMP, I’ve got you covered! I have already published a detailed technical analysis breaking down its price action and future outlook. Check it out on my profile.