Hunter Biden's LAPTOP memecoin faces crypto trader backlash
Launch announcement
Hunter Biden announced that he will launch a new memecoin called LAPTOP on Wednesday. The token will be created on Base, a layer‑2 network built by Coinbase. A memecoin is a joke cryptocurrency that spreads through internet memes.
Token structure
- Supply: 1 billion LAPTOP tokens.
- Founders, including Biden, receive 30 % of the supply. These tokens are locked for six months and then released over more than two years.
- An additional 20 % will be given away in two airdrops. An airdrop is a free distribution of tokens to selected users.
Airdrop eligibility
The first airdrop will target wallets that lost money on the TRUMP memecoin, which was launched by Donald Trump before his 2025 inauguration. Substack subscribers of Biden and a mailing list managed by video journalist Andrew Callaghan will also receive tokens.
Trader backlash
Crypto traders quickly criticized the launch. Prominent users called the project an embarrassment and urged Biden to abandon it.
Exchange and platform response
Kraken, a major crypto exchange, deleted a promotional post about LAPTOP after the criticism. The exchange has not said whether it will list the token.
Jordan Fish, head of Coinbase’s Base app team, said anyone can deploy a token on Base without Coinbase approval and that there is no partnership between LAPTOP and Coinbase.
Jesse Pollak, founder of Base, said the team made a “conscious decision” not to help design or promote the token because of the political context.
What is confirmed
- LAPTOP will launch on Base with a 1 billion token supply.
- Founders receive 30 % of tokens, locked for six months.
- 20 % of tokens are slated for airdrops to specific groups.
- Kraken removed a promotional post after trader backlash.
- Base officials stated there is no official partnership with the token.
Uncertainties
- It is not yet known which exchanges, if any, will list LAPTOP when trading begins.
- Future involvement of Coinbase or Base in the token’s promotion remains unclear.
Why it matters
The launch ties a political figure’s personal controversy to a cryptocurrency, raising questions about the use of meme tokens for personal branding and the reaction of the crypto community to politically linked projects.
Next steps
The token’s website says exchange listings will be announced when trading starts. Pump.fun continues to advertise LAPTOP, and copycat tokens using the same name are already trading.
