Dominic Williams, founder of the Internet Computer (ICP), has become a key voice in the industry, particularly as the recent launch of Trump and Melania’s meme coins has sent shockwaves through the market. While these meme coins have sparked a whirlwind of resentment and excitement, Williams is offering a more measured perspective, pointing out that while the current meme coin craze is entertaining, the true long-term potential lies in technology-driven platforms like ICP.
The $TRUMP and $MELANIA tokens, launched just days ago, have already seen a combined market cap of over $60 billion before dropping back to about $40 billion. This surge comes as Trump positions himself as the first pro-crypto president, with his administration expected to bring policies that could benefit the bitcoin and wider crypto industry. The announcement of his meme coin, alongside Melania’s, has undoubtedly contributed to a sense of optimism, with Bitcoin even reaching a new all-time high shortly before Trump’s inauguration.
But while the hype surrounding these tokens has led to impressive short-term gains, Williams remains cautious. He is quick to point out the difference between fun speculation and genuine value. “If people want meme coins for fun and speculation, then they should have them,” he tweeted. “ICP is an ideal network: extremely low cost and fast, scalable and multichain.” For Williams, meme coins are part of the picture but not the main focus. The real value, he argues, comes from projects that can offer long-term, practical solutions—something ICP is designed to do.
Meme coins, like $TRUMP and $MELANIA, have become a sensation largely driven by viral trends and social media buzz. Their appeal, however, is mostly based on entertainment and speculation. The tokens are marketed as digital collectibles, not as investment opportunities. Their value is driven by hype rather than any intrinsic utility, making them highly volatile. Financial advisors, including Nigel Green from deVere Group, have been quick to remind the public that buying into meme coins is more like gambling than investing. “This is not the same as investing in sound assets,” Green warns, emphasising the risks of speculation.
Despite the volatility, the Trump coins have helped push the broader market upwards, with many digital assets benefiting from the wave of enthusiasm. Solana (SOL), for example, has seen its value surge by 28% in just a week. The recent excitement around Solana can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the rise of meme coins, growing political optimism around Trump’s policies, and speculation about Solana’s future. For Williams, however, the increasing interest in Solana is a positive sign but only part of the broader story of digital innovation.
Williams has been outspoken about his belief that blockchain technology’s true potential lies in its ability to provide scalable, cost-effective solutions across industries. The Internet Computer, his creation, offers a platform that enables decentralised applications to run seamlessly and affordably. “ICP is an ideal network,” Williams reiterates. It offers lower costs, faster speeds, and is more adaptable than many other blockchains, making it an appealing choice for building real, sustainable applications.
In addition to the Trump meme coins and the rise of Solana, other factors have contributed to the current optimism in the market. Bitcoin’s surge, for instance, has had a ripple effect across digital assets, giving them a much-needed boost. But even as these tokens see short-term gains, experts like Dr. Sean Dawson, head of research at Derive.xyz, stress that the excitement could be fleeting. “The positive launches of the $TRUMP and $MELANIA tokens show the crypto-friendly tone of the incoming administration,” Dawson notes, but he also warns of the uncertainty ahead.
For Williams, the rise of meme coins and projects like Solana highlights the need for balance. The market is clearly in a speculative frenzy, with tokens rising and falling in value at a rapid pace. However, Williams believes that the true growth in the space will come from projects that provide tangible value and solve real-world problems. “The hype around meme coins is entertaining, but it’s the technological innovations that will last,” he says.
Despite his belief in the value of technology-driven platforms, Williams acknowledges the excitement surrounding Trump’s presidency and the impact it could have on the market. As a vocal supporter of digital assets, Trump’s policies may usher in a more favourable environment for cryptocurrencies. His administration’s possible focus on a U.S.-based crypto reserve, prioritising assets like Solana and XRP, has generated considerable buzz.
Meanwhile, the launch of the $TRUMP meme coin, based on the Solana blockchain, has sparked even more interest in the Solana ecosystem. The coin’s market cap hit $10 billion within hours of its announcement, drawing attention to the potential for meme coins to drive further interest in blockchain technology. Williams, however, remains focused on the bigger picture. For him, the future of digital assets is less about riding the waves of short-term speculation and more about creating platforms that will continue to deliver value in the long run.
As for the future of the market, Dom remains optimistic but grounded. He believes that the current wave of excitement around meme coins, Trump’s presidency, and the growth of Solana is part of the evolving landscape of digital assets. However, he stresses that the true power of blockchain technology lies in its ability to provide scalable, cost-effective solutions that can transform industries.
While meme coins like $TRUMP and $MELANIA may continue to capture attention, it’s platforms like ICP that offer the long-term potential to reshape the digital asset space. Williams’ focus remains on building technology that can scale and provide real-world value, which he sees as the ultimate driver of success in the industry.