Tron Founder Justin Sun’s $75M Trump Token Bet Raises Eyebrows

Tron founder Justin Sun’s purchase of $75 million in Trump-affiliated tokens preceded the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pausing its 2023 fraud case against him in February 2025.

Sun’s attendance at a gala dinner hosted by President Donald Trump for the top 220 holders of the TRUMP memecoin sparked fresh scrutiny.

Critics question whether the sizeable investment influenced regulatory decisions. Before this token transaction, Sun faced US SEC charges alleging fraudulent manipulation of TRX and BTT token markets in March 2023.

The case was paused shortly after Justin Sun became the largest TRUMP memecoin holder, prompting debate over the interplay between political contributions and enforcement.

Justin Sun’s 2023 SEC Lawsuit

In March 2023, the US SEC filed a civil lawsuit against Justin Sun and his companies. They are accused of “fraudulently manipulating the secondary market” for TRON (TRX) and BitTorrent (BTT) tokens.

According to the lawsuit, Sun was selling unregistered securities through celebrity endorsements without proper disclosures. The complaint named stars such as Lindsay Lohan, Jake Paul, and Lil Yachty, who had promoted TRX and BTT without revealing their sponsorship.

The SEC alleged that Sun orchestrated wash trading to inflate TRX prices. That he misled investors, seeking remedies including disgorgement and civil penalties.

Sun’s legal troubles preceded his decision to acquire stakes in Trump-linked crypto ventures. Despite the SEC’s allegations, Sun’s attorneys disputed the charges, arguing that his activities did not constitute securities violations.

Meanwhile, media outlets reported that Sun had fled U.S. jurisdiction. He was allegedly residing abroad to avoid potential arrest under the Biden administration’s stricter crypto enforcement.

Justin Sun’s Controversial $75 Million Trump Token Acquisition

In late 2024, Justin Sun began buying tokens from World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency firm associated with the Trump family.

Ultimately, the crypto mogul invested approximately $75 million across multiple tranches to become the largest TRUMP memecoin holder by early 2025.

Blockchain analytics confirm that Sun’s wallet amassed nearly $21 million worth of TRUMP coins at launch, with subsequent purchases raising his total exposure to $75 million.

Shortly after Sun’s purchases, the SEC agreed to pause its fraud case in February 2025 “to explore a potential resolution.”

The timing—mere months after Justin Sun funneled $75 million into Trump-affiliated tokens—prompted allegations that his investment may have swayed regulatory action, raising eyebrows.

End Citizens United, a watchdog group, accused Sun of using “crypto money to dodge legal trouble and gain political access,” highlighting that his $23 million in TRUMP coins secured him a VIP invitation to Trump’s gala dinner.

Marlene Robertson, an X user, posted

“Yes, this is the same Justin  Sun who in 2023 was sued by the US SEC and then dropped this past February, after Sun purchased $75M worth of tokens from Donald Trump.”

Trump’s Gala Dinner

Tron founder joined top 220 holders of TRUMP memecoins at a private gala hosted by Donald Trump at his golf club near Washington, D.C.

The invitation-only event included a VIP reception for the top 25 token holders. Sun sat beside Trump as officials highlighted the token’s role in raising funds for Trump’s ventures.

Justin Sun told attendees that Trump’s crypto-friendly stance could help the U.S. reclaim its status as a global cryptocurrency hub, reversing the exodus of firms he blamed on “Biden-era crypto restrictions.”

According to reports, protesters outside the venue decried the gathering as a “cycle of corruption.” End Citizens United publicly condemned Sun’s presence, labeling his involvement “a blatant effort to buy influence.”

Regulatory and Community Reactions

End Citizens United’s executive director released a statement asserting that Justin Sun’s SEC case pause was “no coincidence”. He said,

“…crypto money should not be used to purchase immunity from U.S. regulators.”

The group emphasized that Justin Sun faced potential SEC charges in 2023. His subsequent token buys undermined regulatory integrity.

The crypto community’s response was sharply split. Some traders viewed Sun’s purchase as savvy market behavior, arguing that token ownership alone should not imply regulatory favoritism.

Meanwhile, Congress is advancing the GENIUS Act. It aims to strengthen crypto oversight, partly in reaction to events like Sun’s legal reprieve and his Trump tie-ins.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has publicly criticized the proposed bill, warning that it might grant too much power to politically connected crypto entities, using Sun’s case as an example of potential abuse.

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