#MEMEAct
The MEME Act—short for Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement Act—is a legislative proposal introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in February 2025 by Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-CA). Its primary aim is to prevent federal officials and their immediate families from profiting from digital assets like meme coins, cryptocurrencies, and other financial instruments that could present conflicts of interest.
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🔍 What the MEME Act Proposes
The bill seeks to prohibit the following individuals from issuing, sponsoring, or endorsing any security, future, commodity, or digital asset:
The President and Vice President
Members of Congress
Senior Executive Branch officials
Their spouses and dependent children
It also imposes criminal and civil penalties for violations and includes retroactive provisions to address assets issued before the bill's enactment .
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🧾 Why It Was Introduced
The MEME Act was introduced in response to controversies involving former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who reportedly launched personal meme coins—$TRUMP and $MELANIA—shortly before Trump's inauguration in January 2025. These coins allegedly allowed the Trumps to profit significantly, raising ethical concerns about public officials leveraging their positions for personal financial gain .
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🏛️ Legislative Status
As of now, the MEME Act has been referred to multiple House committees, including Oversight and Government Reform, Judiciary, and House Administration . While it has garnered support from several Democratic co-sponsors, its passage remains uncertain, especially given the Republican majority in both chambers of Congress.
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🧠 Broader Implications
The MEME Act reflects growing concerns about the intersection of politics and digital finance. By targeting the issuance and promotion of digital assets by public officials, the bill aims to uphold ethical standards and prevent potential conflicts of interest in the rapidly evolving crypto landscape.