Senator Seeks Trump Crypto Ban as 63% Call His Profits Inappropriate

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D‑NY) has made an enforceable prohibition on presidential cryptocurrency profits a condition for her support of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. She argues that any legislation that allows a sitting president to profit from crypto creates a conflict of interest.

Poll Shows Broad Public Concern

A Reuters/Ipsos survey of 1,166 U.S. adults conducted Aug. 14‑17 found that 63% consider former President Donald Trump’s and his family’s crypto earnings inappropriate, while 32% view them as appropriate. The same poll indicated that 69% believe Trump allows private business interests to influence his presidential decisions.

Trump’s Reported Crypto Income

Financial disclosures released on June 30 show Trump reported more than $1.4 billion in crypto‑related income for 2025. The largest single source was a meme‑coin tied to the Trump brand, accounting for $636 million, with additional earnings from World Liberty Financial, a family‑linked crypto venture.

Legislative Context

Gillibrand’s demand targets the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which proposes to split oversight of digital assets between federal market regulators. Critics say the bill lacks clear ethics enforcement, while supporters say it would provide stronger federal supervision. The Senate Banking Committee is set to consider cloture on Sept. 15, requiring 60 votes to advance.

Potential Impact

If passed with Gillibrand’s ethics language, the bill would bar presidents, their spouses, and senior officials from issuing, sponsoring, or profiting from cryptocurrency while in office. Opponents warn that without such provisions, the legislation could serve as a “permission slip” for self‑dealing.