NEW YORK, Jan 2, 2026, 09:20 ET — Premarket
- DJT was indicated slightly higher ahead of the open after a strong Dec. 31 close.
- Trump Media said it plans to distribute digital tokens to shareholders using Crypto.com’s Cronos blockchain.
- Traders are watching for record-date details, token terms and any regulatory follow-through.
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp shares were up 0.8% at $13.34 in premarket trading, after closing Dec. 31 at $13.24. The stock has ranged from $10.18 to $43.46 over the past 52 weeks. 1
The move keeps the Truth Social operator in the spotlight after it unveiled a plan to distribute a new cryptocurrency-style reward to shareholders. The company’s push comes as policy support for crypto has been building in Washington, and the White House has rejected conflict-of-interest allegations around Trump’s business interests, Reuters reported. 2
In a Dec. 31 statement, Trump Media said it plans to distribute one digital token per whole share to “ultimate beneficial owners” — the investors who ultimately own the shares even if they hold them through a broker — in partnership with Crypto.com on its Cronos blockchain. CEO and Chairman Devin Nunes said, “We look forward to utilizing Crypto.com’s blockchain technology and improving regulatory clarity.” The company said record dates — the cutoff used to determine who qualifies — and other details will be announced in the new year, and that the tokens are not expected to represent an ownership interest, may not be transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. 3
A digital token is a unit recorded on a blockchain, a shared ledger that tracks transactions across a network of computers. Investors focus on whether a token can be traded, what rights come with it, and how regulators treat it versus traditional securities.
Broader markets were steady-to-firmer ahead of the open, with U.S. stock futures higher in early premarket trading, according to Dow Jones and FactSet data. 4
Crypto-linked stocks were weaker in the same window, with Coinbase, Strategy and Robinhood each down about 2% in premarket trading.
For DJT, the near-term trade is still headline-driven. The token plan adds a new catalyst that is easy to market to retail investors, while leaving big questions unanswered.
Traders will be watching for the record date and the operational details that decide who receives tokens when shares are held at brokerages. Stock-lending mechanics matter too, because distributions typically go to owners of record rather than borrowers.
The next key issue is whether the token ends up functioning as a tradable asset or more like a loyalty reward. That distinction shapes both the token’s potential value and the regulatory scrutiny it may draw.
Language in Trump Media’s announcement underscored that the token is not meant to be an equity-like claim, and the company stressed limits around transferability and cash conversion. Investors will parse any follow-up disclosures for how those terms are implemented in practice.
