American Bitcoin (ABTC) just hit Nasdaq, and it made a lot of noise. On its first day, the stock shot up more than 100% before cooling off. At one point, the Trump brothers’ stake was worth over $2.5 billion.
This isn’t some quiet side project. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. built American Bitcoin with Hut 8, one of the biggest names in crypto mining. They say the goal is simple: mine Bitcoin, buy more Bitcoin, and make the U.S. a leader in the space.
The debut came through the American Bitcoin Gryphon merger, which gave the company a fast track to the stock market. Now, the ABTC stock is live, and investors are watching closely. Some see a bold bet on Bitcoin’s future. Others see a risky play tied to politics.
Either way, American Bitcoin stock may be the Trump family’s biggest step into crypto yet (which is saying a lot), and it could change the conversation about how politics and Bitcoin mix.
Key highlights:
- American Bitcoin (ABTC) launched in 2025, backed by Eric and Donald Trump Jr. with Hut 8, aiming to make the U.S. a leader in Bitcoin mining and accumulation.
- The American Bitcoin Gryphon merger brought ABTC to Nasdaq, where the stock doubled intraday on its debut before closing up 16%.
- The company’s strategy combines mining new Bitcoin with building a large treasury, already holding 2,400+ BTC and planning a $2.1B raise to expand.
- The Trump family’s deep involvement boosts visibility but also sparks conflict-of-interest concerns as politics, crypto, and Wall Street collide.
What is American Bitcoin (ABTC)?
American Bitcoin was created in early 2025 by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., together with Hut 8, one of the largest Bitcoin miners in North America. Hut 8 brings something most new ventures lack: an existing network of data centers, energy partnerships, and industrial-scale mining expertise.
With that backing, the Trump brothers pitched American Bitcoin as a homegrown answer to foreign dominance in Bitcoin mining.
The company follows a two-part strategy:
- It mines new Bitcoin, using Hut 8’s facilities and know-how
- At the same time, it builds up a treasury of coins by buying Bitcoin directly from the market
Most miners sell a big chunk of their production to cover expenses. American Bitcoin wants to flip that script. By holding and stacking Bitcoin instead of cash, it aims to give investors a stock that moves almost like a leveraged bet on Bitcoin itself.
At the time of its launch, the company already owned more than 2,400 BTC, worth about $160 million. Eric Trump called the debut a “historic milestone” for U.S. crypto and said the mission is to make the United States the leader of the global Bitcoin economy.
For investors, ABTC American stock offers exposure to both mining operations and Bitcoin’s long-term growth story.
American Bitcoin Gryphon merger and Nasdaq listing
To reach the stock market quickly, American Bitcoin teamed up with Gryphon Digital Mining. Gryphon was already on Nasdaq, so merging gave American Bitcoin a shortcut. No waiting for an IPO, no long approvals.
Here’s how it happened:
- Merger decision: American Bitcoin announced it would combine with Gryphon, using Gryphon’s existing Nasdaq listing.
- Shareholder approval: Gryphon investors voted yes and approved a reverse stock split, which was needed to meet Nasdaq rules.
- New ticker: Once complete, the combined company took the name American Bitcoin and the ticker ABTC.
By September 2025, the American Bitcoin Gryphon merger was wrapped up. The Trumps appeared on the Nasdaq floor to ring in the launch. Eric Trump called it a milestone and said the goal was to bring Bitcoin closer to mainstream investors.
For shareholders, the merger delivered three things at once:
- A Nasdaq listing with immediate credibility
- Access to public markets and new capital
- A clear stage for the debut of ABTC stock
This set the table for the launch that came next.
BTC stock’s debut performance
The first day of trading was wild. ABTC stock opened at $6.90 and quickly shot up to $14.52. That’s more than a 100% gain within hours. By the end of day, it closed at $8.04, still up about 16% from the debut.
At one point, the Trump brothers’ combined stake was valued at more than $2.5 billion. Even after the pullback, their shares were worth around $1.5 billion. That made the launch one of the most talked-about market debuts of the year.
This was a reminder of two things:
- New crypto-linked stocks can be extremely volatile
- The Trump name alone was enough to draw huge attention and trading volume
The surge put American Bitcoin in the spotlight far beyond the crypto community. News outlets from Wall Street to mainstream media covered the launch. For many, it was the first time hearing about American Bitcoin ABTC stock, and the spectacle made sure it wouldn’t be the last.
Trump family’s role and stake
American Bitcoin is a mining setup that carries the Trump name at the top.
Eric Trump serves as co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, while Donald Trump Jr. is one of the biggest backers. Together, they hold about 20% of the company.
That stake is massive. On day one, their shares were worth more than $1.5 billion by the close, and at the intraday peak, closer to $2.6 billion. The rest of the company is largely controlled by Hut 8, which owns around 80%.
Eric Trump has been vocal about his push into crypto. In interviews, he said that digital assets now make up “about 50%” of what he’s doing professionally. He also claimed that Bitcoin is exploding and that American Bitcoin is his way of helping the U.S. lead the charge.
For supporters, the family’s direct involvement shows commitment. For critics, it raises eyebrows, as well as questions about conflicts of interest, especially with Donald Trump back in the White House.
Business strategy: mining and treasury
Most Bitcoin miners follow a familiar model. They run machines, produce coins, and then sell a large share of those coins to cover electricity and operating costs. American Bitcoin wants to play a different game.
The company focuses on two core moves:
- Mine new Bitcoin using Hut 8’s large-scale mining facilities
- Buy additional Bitcoin with money raised from stock offerings
By holding and stacking coins instead of selling them, American Bitcoin is building up a large treasury. At launch, it already had more than 2,400 BTC. Shortly after going public, the company even filed plans to raise up to $2.1 billion through new share sales, with the goal of using that cash to buy more Bitcoin and expand its mining fleet.
The idea is to boost “Bitcoin-per-share” growth. Investors are betting on mining profits, yes, but also on the value of a growing stash of Bitcoin on the company’s books. That approach adds upside if Bitcoin rallies. And, it makes ABTC stock more exposed if the crypto market takes a downturn.
Market reception and outlook
The launch of ABTC stock drew big headlines. Trading volume was heavy on day one, and the sharp price swings showed how much hype surrounded the Trump-backed venture.
Some investors saw it as a unique way to bet on Bitcoin with political star power behind it. Others worried the volatility was a sign of speculation getting ahead of the fundamentals.
Meanwhile, the new Working Group recommendations for crypto regulation are making many in the market re-think how ABTC stock might perform under future rules.
Looking forward, the path for American Bitcoin stock depends heavily on Bitcoin’s own price. If Bitcoin rallies, ABTC’s treasury model gives it extra upside. If Bitcoin falls, the stock could drop faster than traditional miners.
Analysts also say how the planned $2.1 billion share offering could be a double-edged sword. Yes, it raises growth capital, but it also risks diluting shareholders.
Political and ethical controversies
The Trump family’s stake in American Bitcoin quickly sparked debate. Critics say it creates a conflict of interest. With Donald Trump back in the White House and pushing a pro-crypto agenda, opponents argue the family stands to profit directly from the policies being set.
Eric Trump pushed back. He told reporters that their father has “absolutely nothing to do with this venture” and dismissed conflict-of-interest claims as nonsense. The White House has also downplayed the concerns.
Of course, the criticism isn’t going away. Supporters view the Trump connection as a strength that could give American Bitcoin influence and visibility. Skeptics see it as proof that politics and money are too closely tied in this project.
One thing is certain. It adds another layer of risk and uncertainty to ABTC stock.
Trump’s expanding crypto ventures
American Bitcoin isn’t the first time the Trump family has jumped into digital assets. It may not be the last, either.
Over the past two years, they’ve been linked to several high-profile crypto plays.
- World Liberty Financial (WLFI): Launched in 2025, this project introduced the WLFI token, which quickly gave the family hundreds of millions in gains. Reports estimate they earned close to $500 million from it in just months.
- NFTs and collectibles: Before that, Donald Trump released digital trading cards that sold out fast and became a headline-grabbing success in the NFT boom.
- Other token launches: Both Donald and Melania Trump have been tied to smaller token and meme coin efforts, keeping their names active in the broader crypto market.
Even among all those, American Bitcoin stands out. It’s bigger, more public, and directly tied to the stock market.
With the ABTC American stock now live on Nasdaq, the family’s crypto activity has shifted from side ventures into something with large-scale financial impact. For investors, it signals that the Trumps making crypto a central part of their business brand.
The bottom line
The debut of American Bitcoin ABTC stock was one of the loudest Wall Street openings of 2025. A quick double in share price, billions in paper gains for the Trump brothers, and instant headlines across finance and politics.
The company’s strategy is clear: mine Bitcoin, buy more Bitcoin, and hold as much as possible. The Trump family’s presence gives the venture unmatched visibility. But, it also produces controversy.
Supporters see it as a bold move to push America to the front of the global Bitcoin race. Critics see conflicts of interest and political baggage.
For investors, the risk and reward are tied to the same factor: Bitcoin itself. If Bitcoin soars, ABTC stock has the chance to ride that wave even harder. If Bitcoin stumbles, the downside could be sharp. Either way, the Trump family’s bet has put American Bitcoin at the center of the conversation about where crypto, politics, and Wall Street meet.
Source:: American Bitcoin (ABTC) Stock: The Trump Family's Latest Crypto Play Explained