A little-known Chinese e-commerce company with ties to TikTok has revealed a $300 million purchase of cryptocurrency. This was split between Bitcoin and $TRUMP, the meme coin inspired by Donald Trump’s political brand. The announcement, hidden within a regulatory filing made public late Tuesday, has raised eyebrows due to the geopolitical implications of a Chinese-linked company buying digital tokens tied to the former US president.
The company behind the move is GD Culture Group. They are an obscure, Nasdaq-listed firm based in China with only eight employees and zero recorded revenue last year. The firm has allegedly frequently changed its services, transitioning from art auctions to e-commerce and live-streaming influencer services for TikTok.
Anonymous Purchase
According to the filing, first reported by The New York Times, GD Culture Group used proceeds from a private stock offering to fund the purchase. The buyer of that stock is an anonymous entity registered in the British Virgin Islands, a known tax haven and secrecy jurisdiction. This structure has raised concerns over transparency and potential backchannel political financing.
The $TRUMP token, despite its speculative nature and lack of utility, has become one of the strangest success stories in crypto this year. Although initially launched without any official endorsement from Donald Trump, the coin was later embraced by the former president, who has even offered buyers incentives.
The most recent promotion, a sweepstakes ending on May 22, promised an exclusive dinner to the highest $TRUMP buyers. The contest netted Trump-linked entities over $320 million in fees.
READ MORE: Best Crypto to Buy Now as Asia’s Wealthy Shift Away from the US Dollar
GD Culture’s purchase is particularly unusual in its timing. The company’s filing disclosed the acquisition just days after the end of the Trump dinner contest.
Large Buy Raises Eyebrows
GD Culture Group’s involvement in the crypto space is also an eyebrow-raiser due to its connection to the Chinese government. In previous disclosures, the firm noted that it is subject to potential “intervention or influence” by Chinese authorities.
Given the ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing and Trump’s history of trade war rhetoric, the optics of a Chinese entity buying access to a Trump dinner through a meme coin have caused speculation over foreign influence and political soft power.
Whether the $300 million purchase was heavily weighted toward Bitcoin or $TRUMP remains unknown. Some analysts suggest the firm may have made a primarily BTC-focused bet, with just a token amount of TRUMP included for strategic optics or access.
If that’s the case, it could be a savvy hedge. Bitcoin has been quietly rebounding in recent weeks, approaching all-time highs amid rising global inflation fears, uncertainty surrounding Trump’s return to trade war policies, and increased investor interest in decentralized assets.
Still, even if GD Culture only allocated a small amount of its funds to TRUMP, that money would still flow through the token’s liquidity pools and fee structures. Thus, even a simple investment could generate real revenue while offering investors a discreet way to gain his favor.
This wouldn’t be the first time Trump-linked cryptocurrencies have served as a vector for foreign or special-interest influence. An Emirati fund was previously reported to have invested $2 billion in Trump’s USD 1 token. Similarly, a Mexican corporation allegedly funneled $20 million into TRUMP earlier this year. This coincides with the lobbying efforts around border trade policies.
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, have labeled the TRUMP token and its associated promotions as blatant pay-to-play schemes that blur the lines between campaign fundraising and personal enrichment. With no cap on investment and prizes given to the highest contributors, these token campaigns create an open marketplace for influence.
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Best Crypto To Buy Now as Chinese Firm Purchases $300M
The TRUMP token story isn’t merely a news attractor; it serves as a model. Whether utilized for influence, speculation, or pure hype, meme coins are transforming into high-stakes tools. As the cryptocurrency scene increasingly merges finance, politics, and pop culture, a fresh surge of meme coin presales is appearing with equally ambitious goals. Here are three cryptos you need to keep an eye on.
Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP)
Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) is developing a layer 2 solution on Bitcoin that merges its unparalleled security with transaction speeds akin to those of Solana. Due to strong investor demand, the presale has exceeded $8 million. Given Bitcoin’s recent remarkable price fluctuations, BPEP appears to be a likely duplicate when it goes live.
Bitcoin Pepe is gaining momentum, with over 10 partnerships broadening its reach. The presale will conclude abruptly on May 31, 2025, at 2 PM UTC. The upcoming two weeks are the final opportunity to purchase at reduced prices before offerings go live on major centralized exchanges.
15% of tokens are set aside for staking rewards, offering up to 10,000% APY returns. BPEP is developing a decentralized exchange and NFT marketplace centered on memes that appeal to Bitcoin fans and meme traders.
PepeX (PEPX)
PepeX is a launchpad powered by AI for meme coins that allows anyone to create tokens without the need for coding. The AI tools oversee smart contract audits, liquidity security, and social media marketing, enhancing launch safety and convenience. The presale has gathered over $2.1 million, indicating interest.
The presale began in March 2025. PepeX employs anti-sniping technology and bonding strategies to safeguard investors and guarantee dedication to the project. 15% of tokens support staking rewards, motivating holders to generate passive income. PepeX dedicates 45% for public sale, seeking extensive community participation, and intends to list on major exchanges shortly.
Through the integration of DeFi and AI, PepeX simplifies the process for anyone to develop a meme coin equipped with marketing and governance features. It serves as a straightforward entry point into the current cryptocurrency landscape.
CartelFi (CARTFI)
CartelFi converts dormant meme coins into income-producing assets while retaining their growth potential. The presale, which is taking place from April 8 to July 7, 2025, has successfully raised more than $1.7 million. It is presently valued at $0.0496, with its price set to rise by 5%. CARTFI provides high-return staking pools with APYs reaching 1000%, transforming speculation into consistent revenue.
The protocol allocates 50% of fees to repurchase and incinerate tokens, diminishing supply and bolstering price. Users can stake well-known meme coins such as $PEPE, $DOGE, and $SHIB to receive CARTFI rewards. By designating 25% of tokens for ecosystem development and collaborations, CartelFi seeks widespread adoption.
CartelFi differentiates itself by allowing users to generate yield with meme coins, a feature absent in most DeFi platforms. Its creative staking pools draw in both meme lovers and yield seekers, expanding the limits of decentralized finance in 2025.
