American Bitcoin, a company linked to Eric Trump, has an all-in mining cost of approximately $90,000 per Bitcoin, a figure 38% above the token's recent market price, according to a new Forbes report.
The report alleges the company's business model functions as an "arbitrage tool exploiting MAGA investor sentiment," pointing to a significant gap between its operational costs and the value of the assets it acquires.
Since September, American Bitcoin has sold roughly 158 million shares to raise $351 million. In the same period, it spent $390 million to acquire Bitcoin, creating a financial deficit even before accounting for its high mining-cost basis.
With mining costs far exceeding Bitcoin's market price, the company faces significant financial pressure and potential investor backlash. The report could trigger a sharp decline in the company's stock, attract regulatory scrutiny, and test the value of the Trump brand in the crypto space.
The Forbes analysis highlights a business strategy that appears unsustainable under current market conditions. The $90,000 all-in cost per BTC contrasts sharply with the spot price, which has struggled to hold above $65,000. This discrepancy means the company is effectively acquiring assets for significantly more than their market value, a practice that erodes shareholder value with every coin mined.
This venture is part of a broader push into the cryptocurrency sector by the Trump family. Eric Trump, alongside his brother Donald Trump Jr., is also a founder of World Liberty Financial. The family's growing involvement comes as former President Trump champions a light regulatory touch for the industry, aiming to make the U.S. a "crypto capital."
The viability of American Bitcoin's model may depend less on market fundamentals and more on the continued faith of its specific investor base. However, the public disclosure of such a high cost-basis could lead to investor lawsuits and an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission into the company's disclosures and business practices.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.