US President Donald Trump is reportedly diving deep into the world of cryptocurrency with a new venture: a Trump-branded real estate game powered by blockchain technology. According to two sources familiar with the matter, the upcoming game will have a Monopoly-style feel, reflecting Trump’s decades-long fascination with the iconic board game. Trump’s fascination with Monopoly dates back to his 1989 launch of Trump The Game, a real estate-themed board game that mimicked Monopoly. He even considered developing a reality TV show inspired by the game in 2006. “I always thought Monopoly was a great game,” Trump once told the New York Post. Described by one source as a twist on the MONOPOLY GO! game, the latest crypto-based game will reportedly allow players to earn in-game currency by navigating a digital board and constructing buildings in a virtual city. While the gameplay may sound familiar, Kevin Mercuri, a spokesman for Trump ally Bill Zanker, denied any similarities to MONOPOLY GO! but confirmed that Zanker is behind a “game” scheduled for release in late April. He said the Monopoly comparisons were “just hearsay.” Zanker, a longtime Trump associate, has played a key role in the president’s growing list of crypto ventures. He previously helped launch Trump-themed NFT collectibles and is reportedly behind the Trump memecoin project. He is also listed in public filings as affiliated with the memecoin’s associated entity, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT LLC. Related News: Mantra (OM) Founder Makes New Statement About the Decline: Announces Token Burn and OM Buyback - But Manipulation Claims Remain In May 2024, Zanker approached Hasbro, the maker of Monopoly, to reclaim the license for Trump The Game, but the company reportedly no longer owns the rights to the decades-old game. A Hasbro spokesperson told Fortune that they do not license any Monopoly-related intellectual property to crypto projects affiliated with Trump. Trump’s foray into blockchain doesn’t stop there. His family has a growing footprint in the crypto space, including NFT collectibles, a stablecoin venture, decentralized finance startup World Liberty Financial and a Bitcoin mining company co-owned by his sons Eric and Donald Jr. DTTM Operations, the firm that manages Trump’s trademarks, recently filed applications to extend the Trump brand to additional crypto products, such as NFT-based virtual apparel and a digital storefront. It remains unclear whether these applications are directly related to the upcoming game. Critics have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially since Trump has recently shifted his policy stance to be more positive toward crypto. His administration has backed pro-crypto legislation, appointed a crypto and artificial intelligence advisor, and proposed a national bitcoin and digital asset reserve. Eric Trump countered the criticism, telling Fortune that the family’s involvement in crypto stems from a genuine interest. “This is something our family believes in,” he said. *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: US President Donald Trump Is Preparing To Make A Move On Cryptocurrencies Again – Here’s What’s Known About The New Push
