Trump’s Newest Crypto Interest is a PlaytoEarn Game—Here’s the Rundown

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to launch a blockchain-based real estate game by the end of the month, according to a report from Fortune citing sources familiar with the matter. The crypto game, modeled loosely after Monopoly, will allow players to acquire digital properties and earn in-game rewards through blockchain mechanics.

The development is being led by Bill Zanker, a long-time Trump associate who also played a role in the president’s previous crypto initiatives, including Trump-themed NFT collections and meme coins. While the project draws clear inspiration from Monopoly, Hasbro has confirmed it has not granted a license for any Trump crypto venture. The company currently owns Monopoly after acquiring Parker Brothers.

No Monopoly License, But Similar Mechanics

Although the project is frequently compared to Monopoly, Zanker’s spokesperson denied that the game will use Hasbro’s intellectual property. Nonetheless, insiders told Fortune that Zanker approached Hasbro in May 2024 seeking the rights, but was turned down. The current game design reportedly retains structural similarities to Trump’s 1989 board game, Trump: The Game, which was also based on real estate acquisition but received poor commercial reception.

This latest effort is part of a broader web3 expansion strategy by the Trump family, which has aggressively entered the crypto sector through NFTs, stablecoins, and mining partnerships.

Launch Comes Amid Slump in Web3 Gaming

While Trump’s Monopoly-style crypto game is drawing attention, he’s not alone in joining web3 gaming. Big studios, global brands, and public figures are backing blockchain games. Their goal is to make playtoearn more than just a gimmick.

Top gaming companies are already deep in web3. Ubisoft has backed several blockchain startups after testing NFTs with its Quartz platform. Square Enix launched its first NFT game (Symbiogenesis) and plans more titles. Krafton, makers of PUBG, teamed up with Solana Labs to build the Overdare, a metaverse game platform with Web3 tools.

Brands outside gaming are diving in, too. Nike launched .Swoosh, a gamified NFT hub. Adidas built branded avatars in The Sandbox. Furthermore, Starbucks turned its loyalty program into a gamified NFT experience. Finally, sports leagues are following suit. The NFL, NBA, and LaLiga now offer NFT-powered fantasy games like NFL Rivals, Top Shot, and Sorare.

The money is following. In Q1 2025, more than $100 million was committed to web3 games built on Immutable zkEVM. In Asia, mobile-first games by Netmarble and Com2uS are bringing millions of users into blockchain gaming, with no prior crypto experience.

The pattern is clear. Web3 games are trusted companies across gaming, fashion, food, and sports are betting on models where players can earn, own, and shape the worlds they play in. Trump’s game is just one tile in a much larger board.

Deepening Ties to Crypto

The Trump family’s blockchain game is just one element of a growing portfolio of crypto ventures. Through their company, World Liberty Financial, launched prior to the 2024 election cycle, the family has accumulated assets including Ethereum, Tron, and other tokens. The company has also announced a dollar-pegged stablecoin, USD1, which is reportedly backed by U.S. Treasury reserves and slated to launch on Ethereum and BNB Chain.

On another note, Financial filings indicate that a Trump-affiliated entity receives 75% of the project’s revenue, and that the Trump family collectively owns 60% of the equity. Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Barron Trump have all been listed as “Web3 Advisors” and are publicly promoting the project on social media.

Regulatory and Political Implications

The game’s release coincides with mounting congressional efforts to regulate stablecoins efforts that Trump has openly supported. As the U.S. moves closer to formal crypto legislation, analysts say Trump’s evolving public stance on digital assets signals a calculated political pivot. In 2021, he publicly dismissed Bitcoin as a scam. By 2025, he is advocating for a national Bitcoin reserve and promoting blockchain-based financial products.

His involvement in crypto now spans multiple verticals, including NFTs, meme coins, DeFi services, and Bitcoin mining, the latter of which is operated in partnership with Hut 8 Corp., a Canadian crypto infrastructure firm.

Outlook

While Trump’s blockchain game remains unlaunched, its development reflects the increasing intersection of crypto, politics, and celebrity. Branding power may help the project cut through a crowded market, but long-term success will likely depend on execution, regulatory clarity, and sustained user interest in web3 gaming.

Further announcements, including gameplay specifics and token mechanics, are expected before the official launch.