Businessman Trump Touts Limited Edition Bitcoin Sneakers
Former United States (US) President Donald Trump has utilised social media to endorse a limited edition of Bitcoin-themed sneakers, following his speech at the Bitcoin 2024 conference as a Republican candidate in the upcoming presidential election.
Trump's company, CIC Ventures LLC, which is fully owned by him as per his 2023 financial disclosure, is offering a limited run of these Bitcoin-themed sneakers, dubbed the "Crypto President High Tops."
These sneakers come in two distinct versions: 1,000 pairs in "Bitcoin orange" are available for pre-order at $499 each, and another 1,000 pairs in "luxurious black" are available for pre-order at $299 each.
The pre-orders for these sneakers went live on the official Trump Sneakers website on 31 July and sold out within three hours of their launch.
The sneakers' description states:
“These exclusive sneakers celebrate the future of finance and the leadership of President Trump, boldly emblazoned with a prominent Bitcoin symbol…Perfect for crypto enthusiasts and Trump supporters alike, these limited-edition shoes are a must-have.”
Notably, the website has indicated that five pairs of the limited edition shoes will be randomly signed by Trump, offering Trump sneaker enthusiasts a 1 in 200 chance of receiving a signed pair.
These two other variations of the sneakers have yet to be listed on eBay, and they remain marked as available on the Trump Sneakers website, with the orange low-tops and black hi-tops priced at $299 for pre-order.
In addition to the crypto-themed footwear, the Trump team is marketing a variety of other Trump-themed merchandise, including perfume, a "Freedom" cooler priced at $299, and other shoes adorned with various Trump-affiliated slogans and American flag decals.
The release of these Bitcoin-themed sneakers is a reflection of Trump's vision for the future of finance, prominently featuring the Bitcoin symbol.
This initiative comes after Trump's recent participation in the Bitcoin conference in Nashville, where he pledged to establish a national Bitcoin reserve if he is elected.
The launch of these sneakers is part of a broader strategy to attract a diverse voter base, including the sneakerhead community.
While the Bitcoin shoes may represent Trump's latest venture to capitalise on the interests of his supporters within the sneakerhead community, it is not his first.
CIC Ventures has previously introduced "FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT High-Tops" in the wake of an assassination attempt on the former president, as well as "Never Surrender" and "Red Wave" shoes.
Trump himself unveiled the "Never Surrender" sneakers at "Sneaker Con" in February.
Selling for $2,500 on e-Bay with One Jokingly Listed at $69,999
Listings for pairs of Trump's limited-edition orange Bitcoin-themed sneakers have emerged on eBay, with scalpers attempting to sell their pre-order positions for prices as high as $2,500.
As of the latest update, there are 12 active listings on eBay for the 'Bitcoin orange' colored high-tops.
The asking prices vary, starting from $700 in a live auction and reaching up to $2,500 with a "or best offer" stipulation.
One listing humorously set a price of $69,999.
However, three of these listings have already been marked as sold out.
The legitimacy of these listings and the sellers' commitment to fulfiling their promises remain uncertain.
The majority of the listings assure buyers that the footwear will be shipped to them once the sellers receive their own pre-ordered pairs, which is anticipated to occur between September and November.
While most of the sellers appear to have high ratings, there have been accusations of "scam" behaviour noted in the buyer feedback section for more than one seller.
More Than Just Sneakers, They're a Political Statement
The Bitcoin sneakers transcend mere merchandise; they serve as a political statement.
As "Shark Tank" star Mark Cuban has observed, a crypto-friendly administration under Trump could enact essential regulatory reforms at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), potentially easing the operational landscape for businesses.
This stance aligns with the interests of the cryptocurrency community.
Trump's pivot toward cryptocurrencies and his latest line of merchandise signal a strategic alignment with cutting-edge financial technologies and the digital economy.
The Bitcoin sneakers embody his campaign's innovative approach and his openness to embracing novel concepts to secure support.
However, it is worth noting that Trump, fundamentally a businessman, leverages these sneakers to achieve a dual purpose at this critical juncture of impending elections.
They not only generate additional revenue but also endear him to sneaker enthusiasts and the broader public.