Former President Donald Trump of the United States is not just a politician, real estate mogul, and television personality; he is also a fan of 'Monopoly.' From launching his own version of the board game (Trump: The Game) in 1989 to attempting to develop a real-life reality show in the style of Monopoly in 2006, he is now ready to extend this passion into the virtual world—rumored to be launching an online game combining cryptocurrency elements, similar to (Monopoly Go!).
Trump's game is about to launch; is a crypto version of Monopoly coming?
According to two insiders who spoke to (Fortune), this game is inspired by the popular mobile game (Monopoly Go!), where players can move game pieces in a digital city, earn virtual cash, and build properties. Sources indicated that while the game has not been officially named, it aims to combine the Trump brand with blockchain elements in a digital real estate management experience.
One insider stated that the game design indeed shows traces of Monopoly; another independent source made a similar description. As the plans have not been made public, both individuals requested to remain anonymous.
The behind-the-scenes driving force is an old friend, Bill Zanker, stepping in once again.
The main driving force behind this game is Trump's long-time friend Bill Zanker. He is not only a key partner in Trump's NFT and meme coin projects but also plays a crucial role in this new game.
Zanker's spokesperson, Kevin Mercuri, denied that the game is a copy of (Monopoly Go!), but confirmed that Zanker is preparing a game expected to launch at the end of April. He stated that the comparisons made by the outside world between this game and Monopoly are 'wild speculation.'
Hasbro: We have not authorized Trump to use (Monopoly).
It is worth mentioning that Hasbro, the original company behind (Monopoly), stated that it has not authorized Trump's camp to develop any cryptocurrency games related to its brand. According to sources, as early as May 2024, Zanker had attempted to contact Hasbro to repurchase the rights to (Trump: The Game), but they responded that they no longer held those rights.
Mercuri did not respond further regarding the game's progress and details.
The Trump family's crypto empire continues to expand.
This crypto game is just the latest piece in the Trump family's series of blockchain initiatives. Trump and his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. have recently been heavily involved in the cryptocurrency market, including NFT collectibles, meme coins, decentralized finance projects like World Liberty Financial, stablecoin plans, and even participating in a Bitcoin mining company.
According to (Fortune), at the end of February this year, Trump's trademark management company, DTTM Operations, also filed new trademark applications related to NFTs involving virtual clothing and virtual goods stores, further expanding his brand presence in the virtual world.
Policy shift raises questions of conflict of interest.
As Trump returns to politics, his stance on the crypto industry has also changed significantly. He has not only appointed advisors for AI and cryptocurrency policy but has also pushed for the establishment of a strategic reserve for Bitcoin and digital assets and supported related legislation. These policy moves, along with his family's business interests in the industry, have raised concerns among some.
In response, Eric Trump stated in an interview with (Fortune) that these crypto projects come from the family's genuine passion, saying, 'This is something our family truly believes in and is what we are wholeheartedly doing.'
Zanker: From adult courses to the godfather of meme coins.
Zanker is also a legendary entrepreneur. In the 1980s, he founded the 'Learning Annex' with $5,000 he received during his Bar Mitzvah, offering alternative courses like 'How to Cheat Without Getting Caught,' 'Hot Air Ballooning,' and 'Walking on Fire.'
In 2001, Zanker invited Trump to be a speaker, and the two began a business collaboration that even included co-publishing success books. Although their collaboration was interrupted before Trump's presidential campaign in 2015, they partnered again years later to launch an NFT series that transformed Trump into digital personas like superheroes, astronauts, and cowboys.
Zanker is currently also one of the key figures behind Trump's meme coin 'FIGHT,' and according to documents obtained by (Fortune), his name appears in the registration documents of the company related to that cryptocurrency, 'FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT LLC.'
Despite the curiosity from the outside world, Zanker himself has not yet given media interviews.
This article discusses whether a Trump version of 'Monopoly' is about to debut, as rumors suggest the Trump family is entering the blockchain gaming space to build a cryptocurrency empire. It first appeared in Chain News ABMedia.