A joke made by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House Crypto Summit has sent an unaffiliated cryptocurrency named FIFA COIN soaring by 142,000%. The surge came after Trump commented on the potential for a cryptocurrency linked to FIFA, the world’s governing body for soccer. The coin’s market capitalization hit approximately $3 million following his remarks, despite having no official affiliation with FIFA or the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The FIFA Club World Cup trophy was prominently displayed at the White House Crypto Summit, adding spectacle to an event already significant for discussions on digital assets and blockchain policy. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, speaking alongside Trump, hinted at the possibility of a cryptocurrency tied to FIFA, stating that under his leadership, the organization is “very, very interested” in developing the FIFA coin.
“So if there is anyone interested in teaming up with FIFA, we’ll conquer the world of soccer with the FIFA coin,” Infantino said.
Trump, reacting to Infantino’s remarks, quipped, “That coin may be worth more than FIFA in the end.” The statement immediately sparked interest in the crypto market, with speculation running rampant about the potential for an official FIFA-backed token.
Market Reaction and Trading Volume
In the hours following Trump’s comments, FIFA COIN saw a meteoric rise in value. Initially trading at near-zero levels, the coin spiked to a price of $0.0645, with a 24-hour trading volume of just $0.65 recorded on decentralized exchanges like Uniswap. The market frenzy drove FIFA COIN’s market capitalization to approximately $3 million, even though the coin remains unaffiliated with FIFA or any official football entity.
Crypto analysts and investors quickly pointed out that such meme-driven tokens frequently emerge in response to viral events. Some traders saw an opportunity to capitalize on the attention, while others warned that FIFA COIN could be part of a speculative bubble.
While the dramatic rise in FIFA COIN’s value may appear promising to some investors, industry experts have urged caution. Unaffiliated tokens often emerge following high-profile statements from influential figures, leading to short-term price spikes before rapid declines.
Financial analysts stress the importance of conducting thorough due diligence before investing in such projects. Similar meme-driven cryptocurrencies in the past have led to substantial losses for investors who bought in at peak prices. Without official backing from FIFA, FIFA COIN remains a highly speculative asset.
White House Crypto Summit Highlights
Beyond the FIFA COIN frenzy, the White House Crypto Summit brought together key players in the cryptocurrency sector, including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor, and Kraken CEO Arjun Sethi. The event underscored the Trump administration’s goal of positioning the United States as a global leader in digital assets.
Treasury Secretary Scott Besant addressed concerns about crypto regulation, stating that the government would work closely with the IRS on tax policies and stablecoin regulations. “We assure you we will work with the IRS, and we will put a lot of thought into the stablecoin regime,” Besant said.
David Sacks, a key advisor on Trump’s crypto policies, emphasized the administration’s commitment to supporting the industry. “Trump is fighting for the right,” Sacks said, referring to efforts to push back against regulatory crackdowns on digital assets.
In a significant policy shift, Trump confirmed that his administration would no longer sell seized Bitcoin. Instead, the U.S. government will hold the cryptocurrency as part of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Trump criticized the Biden administration’s previous policies, saying, “Some people really suffered” under Operation Chokepoint 2.0, a controversial initiative that placed heavy restrictions on crypto businesses.
FIFA’s Role in the 2026 World Cup
The FIFA World Cup trophy’s appearance at the summit also underscored the growing connection between global sports and digital assets. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature a record 48 teams and 104 matches, making it the largest tournament in the event’s history.
The United States will host matches in 11 cities, while Mexico and Canada will each have three and two host cities, respectively. The final is set to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Infantino’s remarks at the summit hinted at FIFA’s potential entry into the crypto space, but no official plans have been announced. If FIFA does launch a cryptocurrency, it could be one of the most significant moves by a global sports organization into the digital asset market. For now, FIFA COIN remains a speculative investment, driven largely by hype rather than any concrete association with FIFA or the World Cup.
