Trump Tokens Surge After US Military Campaign in Venezuela

The cryptocurrency market experienced a significant upheaval last weekend after the U.S. conducted a military operation in Venezuela and detained President Nicolás Maduro. Although Bitcoin initially plummeted, the market quickly recovered, while digital assets related to President Donald Trump saw remarkable gains. Surprise Nighttime Military Operation Early Saturday (US time), U.S. Delta Force special forces carried out a swift operation at the Ft. Tiuna military base, on the outskirts of Caracas. According to Nahum Fernández, leader of Venezuela’s ruling party, President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were detained at their residence and then transported directly to New York to face federal charges related to drugs and weapons. This operation came after months of increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean region, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. President Donald Trump confirmed he did not notify Congress beforehand, citing concerns over information leaks. At a press conference on Saturday, Trump announced that the U.S. would “temporarily manage Venezuela” until the country undergoes a proper transfer of power. He also emphasized that Venezuela possesses over 300 billion barrels of oil, with an estimated total value exceeding $17 trillion at current prices. Cryptocurrency Market Reaction As soon as news of the military operation was announced around 2 a.m. (ET), Bitcoin reacted negatively, dropping to a low of approximately $89,571. However, the selling pressure did not last long. By Sunday, Bitcoin had recovered and traded back above $91,000, indicating that market sentiment was gradually stabilizing after the initial shock. This development reflects a familiar characteristic of the crypto market: strong reactions to unexpected geopolitical events, but also quick adjustments as investors reassess risks and actual impacts. Trump-Related Tokens Surge Contrary to Bitcoin’s volatility, crypto projects associated with President Trump benefited significantly from this news: WLFI (World Liberty Financial) surged over 16%, approaching $0.18. TRUMP memecoin increased about 7.5%, reaching $5.40 and re-entering the top 100 largest market cap altcoins. This price rally indicates that speculative capital remains highly sensitive to major political events, especially those that reinforce Trump’s image of power and influence on the international stage. Political Controversies and Indirect Market Impact The military operation also sparked intense debate within the U.S. itself. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized the action as “reckless” and warned that U.S. management of Venezuela could “spread fear among the American people.” The lack of congressional approval further fueled Democratic opposition. On political prediction platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, the likelihood of Trump being impeached during his current term did not increase significantly as some initial rumors suggested. In fact, according to Polymarket, the probability of impeachment before December 31, 2026, decreased by about 3% following this event. Conclusion The U.S. detention of the Venezuelan president is not only a geopolitical shock but also triggered mixed reactions in the financial and crypto markets. Bitcoin demonstrated rapid recovery after volatility, while Trump-related tokens became focal points for speculative capital. In an increasingly unpredictable geopolitical landscape, the crypto market once again proves that it is not only influenced by technical factors or economic cycles but also reacts very sensitively to political power and global decisions.