Hunter Biden Discusses Meme Coin 'LAPTOP': Design for Transparency and Recommendations for the Democratic Party

Hunter Biden, the second son of former U.S. President Joe Biden, launched the meme coin "LAPTOP" in September 2026. The token name is inspired by the laptop that became a focal point during the 2020 presidential election.

Why did he get involved in cryptocurrency, and what thoughts did he put into the token issuance? What was happening behind the scenes during the past token price crashes? Biden, who visited Japan, responded to an exclusive interview with CoinPost.

Questioning the Traditional Financial System

As someone who has been involved in finance, investment, and lobbying, what prompted you to question the traditional financial system and get involved with blockchain?
I believe there is no one who truly understands the current financial system and still deeply trusts it after witnessing the institutional failures of the past 30 years. The 2008 financial crisis is one example.

Blockchain shows a different path. It can democratize financial products in ways that were previously impossible.

I have jokingly said, "Fiat currency is a deception." I understand that this is a provocative expression, but I believe it is fundamentally correct. If the government can freely print money, it is no longer money in the original sense, but something entirely different.

Since 1913, the dollar has lost 97% of its value. Inflation is built into the system, and the cost is borne not by banks or financial institutions, but by all of us. I believe that blockchain and cryptocurrencies can be part of the solution to these current system failures.

I think cryptocurrencies based on blockchain are the future itself. In the global economy, even if you do not know who your trading partner is, blockchain guarantees the legitimacy of transactions. There is no other technology that has the scale to support future finance.
Editorial Note: The figures regarding the purchasing power of the dollar are based on estimates based on the Consumer Price Index, and there is a range depending on the calculation criteria.

The Original Experience of Supporting Refugees

Did you hold such thoughts before the Trump administration began?
Yes. My interest in blockchain-backed digital money began when I was the chairman of WFP USA. The WFP is the world's largest humanitarian aid organization, and Japan is the second-largest contributing country in the world.

As chairman, I worked on a pilot program for refugees. When refugees flowed into Lebanon due to the Syrian civil war, the WFP delivered large amounts of food, which caused deflationary effects on the local economy along the border, delivering a significant blow.

Instead of distributing food for free, we provided each refugee with a digital wallet that could be used on smartphones. Even if refugees have nothing, they usually have smartphones. If they can transact within the local economy using the wallet, it will enrich the area and make it easier for the host country to accept refugees.

This led me to read "The Internet of Money," and I became strongly convinced of Bitcoin's core role in cryptocurrencies.
Editorial Note: "The Internet of Money" is a collection of lectures by Andreas M. Antonopoulos, known as a Bitcoin evangelist, discussing how Bitcoin as "the internet of money" can change finance and society.
This idea does not stop with refugees. In the U.S., millions of migrant workers, primarily from Latin America, are charged high fees of up to 12-15% when sending money back home. Moreover, many do not have bank accounts. Blockchain can reliably enable digital remittances with low fees.
Can we understand that your belief in cryptocurrencies is because they can solve problems that the existing financial system cannot?
Yes, I believe that is the reason.

Another thing I can say is that the strongest opposition to cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, and tokenization comes from existing financial institutions. They have monopolized not only access to money but also the "first entry and exit" of money flows.

Even if the government prints money, the effects of inflation only become apparent once that money reaches consumers. The financial institutions that first receive the money can lend it to us under much more favorable conditions. This is possible because they have immense funds and thus hold significant power.

I do not intend to name specific individuals, but CEOs of major banks around the world are aligning to maintain the current system that benefits them. I do not believe they have done anything to deserve that trust.

Transparency. What we have created is 100% transparent. You can verify all wallets and all movements. On our official website, we have published a white paper based on the EU's MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation). I believe it is one of the most transparent disclosure documents issued by a meme token.

We have never touched the team's wallet, and you can confirm that it will not be moved until the vesting period begins. 20% of the supply was distributed for community building without expecting anything in return. 30% is allocated to an unprecedented prediction market. If the predictions are correct, the corresponding tokens will be burned, and if they are incorrect, the corresponding amount will be donated to charity.
In recent years, many people who have been outside of politics have become interested in politics. I wanted to reach out to those people and build a community.

Some meme coins are designed such that a large portion of the supply is allocated to the issuers. We chose to incorporate mechanisms for community distribution and charity and to disclose everything publicly.

There are over 10 million meme coins, and it is not just a niche market filled with scammers. Tokenization of goods, attention, and everything else is the future, and I believe it is definitely coming.

Tokenization is a tool. Like a hammer, it can be used to break something or to create something. I wholeheartedly believe in cryptocurrencies and think they are the future. They will become a means for those who have been outside the system to connect with each other. I believe it can be realized in the right way, and that has been the intention of LAPTOP from the beginning and remains unchanged.

Another reason is that I have been associated with the phrase "Hunter Biden's laptop" for many years.

The launch of LAPTOP is also about reclaiming that narrative for myself. I wanted to show that a different approach is possible, acknowledge the parts for which I am responsible, and convey that the truth matters to new people around the world.

The Mechanism of Prediction Markets

30% of the supply is allocated to prediction markets. The subjects of predictions include U.S. political events, mentions by CZ (Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance), sports match results, and more, with allocations varying from 3% to 0.5%. How did you decide on the subjects and proportions?
The proportions are based on calculations of the probabilities of each event occurring. That part was entrusted to people who are knowledgeable about the design of tokenomics.

There are two main ways to select subjects. One is political events that will significantly influence the direction of the U.S. over the next two and a half years. For example, whether the Democratic Party will regain control of both houses in the midterm elections in November. I believe it is important for Congress to function as a check. The other is enjoyable subjects, such as the Philadelphia Eagles winning their opening game or mentions of the token by industry figures.

We incorporated the mechanism of predictions because I felt that the culture of meme tokens had stagnated. There has been no innovation, and no one has done anything different. By preparing predictions over two and a half years, people will have a reason to keep talking and watching. That is the most important thing in the market.

Price Crash Immediately After Launch

The price crashed sharply right after the launch in September. What happened?
Initially, we planned to launch on a centralized exchange. When launching on a centralized exchange, you need to announce it 36-48 hours in advance, but if it is only on a decentralized exchange, it is usually not done to avoid giving snipers advance information.

When we announced it on X 48 hours in advance, we received intense attacks from accounts that appeared to be bots or trolls. However, like an IPO, there is a quiet period between the announcement and the listing, so we could not respond or explain the tokenomics. As a result, we ended up launching only on decentralized exchanges.

The launch occurred under extremely low liquidity conditions, with a $6 purchase causing the price to rise by 5%. A token launched with an FDV (Fully Diluted Valuation) of $50 million reached an FDV of $317 billion in less than two minutes. Of course, this is fictional. There were no actual buyers or sellers at any price. Subsequently, funds were withdrawn, and the price crashed in less than 30 minutes.

At the time of reporting, the price was around 8 cents per token, with an FDV of about $80 million. Launched at $50 million, it is expected to grow gradually. Excluding the initial hour's "Everest," I believe the chart will take the desired shape.

Editor’s Note: According to a report published by Groom Lake, which was requested by Mr. Biden's side and released on October 7, 2026, the price of LAPTOP rose from about 5 cents to approximately $317 in less than two minutes, then fell by 98% within an hour. The report does not conclude whether there was intentional price manipulation. Since all figures are based on prices established under conditions of almost no liquidity, there is a range in peak prices and FDV reported.

Vesting and Future Operations

The lock-up of the founding team’s holdings will be lifted next spring. What conditions would indicate success for LAPTOP? Everything depends on trading volume and price. Vesting will occur linearly over two years starting in about 5-6 months, but only if the market can bear it, and all three team members will execute it together. All wallet transactions will be made public.

I want to continue growing in a sustainable manner. A minimum of 5% of the tokens will be donated to support recovery from addiction, which I am deeply concerned about. Including the portion of missed predictions, this could rise to nearly 15%. I do not know of any other way to raise such funds for important activities in such a short time.

Editor’s Note: It has been reported that the founding team’s holdings will be locked for six months post-launch and then released over two years. The maximum 15% designated for donations includes the 5% donation cap from the supply and the portion of the 30% allocated to the prediction market that was not predicted, which is designed to be donated to charities.

Midterm Elections and Regulatory Outlook

The midterm elections are approaching. What impact do you foresee on cryptocurrency regulation depending on the election results? I believe there will be significant turmoil regarding cryptocurrency, especially tokenization, in the U.S. over the next two years.

Many Democrats I interact with (I am not affiliated with the party leadership) react reflexively against cryptocurrencies. The image of cryptocurrencies has been shaped by President Trump, leading to a situation where "if he supports it, I oppose it" without understanding the substance.

President Trump’s deep involvement in the industry has turned the debate into a pure political conflict rather than a discussion on the fundamental principles of blockchain and the future of cryptocurrencies. I believe this is the biggest loss for those who wish for the healthy development of the industry.

Tokens have no intrinsic value; they are collectibles like Pokémon cards. That is why this market needs strong regulations and enforcement.

Editor’s Note: The CLARITY Act, a market structure bill in the U.S., is still under discussion in the Senate after passing the House, and has not been enacted as of October 2026.

Public Officials and Conflicts of Interest

You seem confident about the long-term future of cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, California has enacted a law banning public officials from issuing meme coins. Could such regulations spread to other states and affect LAPTOP? I am confident about the long-term future. Regarding California’s law, I do not believe it will affect LAPTOP. There are no public officials in my family, nor anyone running for office. My father has been retired for nearly two years, and I am a completely private citizen. I have no intention of running for president in the near future.

I think it is natural for current public officials and their families to be subject to such rules.

There is nothing inherently wrong with meme tokens or cryptocurrencies. What matters is that those in a position to oversee the industry avoid structures that allow them to profit from it.

For example, if a public official’s family becomes a major shareholder in a large bank, there would likely be conflicts of interest with various regulatory authorities overseeing the banking industry. I believe the same reasoning applies to cryptocurrencies.

Our token emphasizes transparency, incorporates new mechanisms, and distributes a lot without expecting anything in return. At the same time, I honestly acknowledge that my 10% holding has significant meaning for me. I am a capitalist and believe that those who create valuable things should benefit when people gather around them. However, this should be done in a way that is transparent to everyone. This way, everyone can understand the rules and participate with confidence.

Editor’s Note: In California, the law "AB 2409" prohibiting public officials from issuing meme coins was enacted in September 2026. The law restricts transaction services for meme coins provided or involved by federal, state, and local public officials issued after January 1, 2027. There is no provision that uniformly prohibits public officials' families.

Recommendations to the Democratic Party

Currently, the relationship between the cryptocurrency industry and the Democratic Party is still tense. Do you have any recommendations for the Democratic Party? Yes. First, they should start a dialogue with the most responsible people in the industry. For example, I believe Brian Armstrong of Coinbase is one of the most responsible figures in the industry. He is trying to do the right thing and create something that more people can participate in based on the conviction that there are rules everyone should follow.

More importantly, they should listen to the voices of voters. In the U.S. alone, over 50 million people are involved with cryptocurrencies in some form. They may have wallets or trade meme tokens. The younger generation understands this far more deeply than my generation of 56.

They should listen not only to industry leaders and stakeholders but also to real people who want to make small payments, build communities, and democratize financial markets and financial products.

And they should also pay attention to the voices of those who are likely to be most affected. The people who will benefit most from blockchain are those who have been excluded from the system until now. Those outside the system, who have connections to banks, can open accounts and get insurance, are the privileged few. Globally, these are the very people the Democratic Party should value, and the party needs to understand this better.

I understand that for legislators, every issue around the world is something they need to address, so I also understand how difficult it is to grasp new technologies to this extent. That is why I believe that those in positions to regulate the industry and their families should distance themselves from business within that industry.

Editor’s Note: This interview was conducted before the midterm elections. In the U.S. midterm elections held on November 3, 2026, the AP determined that the Democratic Party regained majorities in both the Senate and the House. The new Congress will be inaugurated in January 2027.

Purpose of Visit to Japan and the Japanese Market

What is the purpose of your visit to Japan and what are your plans for the future in Japan and Asia? It is to talk with all of you. I truly believe that showing my commitment to the long-term future of LAPTOP is the most important thing.

Some other celebrity tokens have representatives who say, "I have nothing to do with this." I am not one of them. I take responsibility for what I decide. That is why I flew to Japan for 13 hours to face people I could not reach otherwise.

I also want to realize developments in Japan and Asia. I am very attracted not only to the business aspect but also to Japanese culture and history.

Tokyo is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, yet it is a place where everyone can live safely and is remarkably clean. In an AI era where safety and children's education are paramount, Japan seems to be realizing this remarkably well. I want to learn in Japan about the choices made over generations.

As the world seems to be more connected than ever while also becoming increasingly divided, it is important for Americans to adopt a learning attitude. Especially towards our most important allies, I believe we should approach them with an open heart.

Japan's regulations are strict, and the number of listed stocks is far fewer compared to the U.S. and others. Still, do you think Japan is a promising market for LAPTOP? Yes, I do. You will see from LAPTOP's tokenomics and transparency, and how we have disclosed everything without hiding anything. I will not pretend to fully understand Japan's regulatory environment, but I know it is strict.

I believe that it is precisely this strictness that is necessary for the industry. If there are rules that everyone can follow and understand, it becomes difficult for those who seek to gain unfair advantages to infiltrate. Japan is already making progress and is far ahead of the United States, where the market structure bill has not yet been enacted.

Editorial Note: In Japan, there is an ongoing legal revision to transition the regulation of crypto assets from the Payment Services Act to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, with a 20% separate taxation expected to be applied starting in 2028. Additionally, to handle new tokens on domestic exchanges, a review by self-regulatory organizations and authorities is required, and LAPTOP is not yet listed domestically.

Finally, please share a message for CoinPost readers and potential partners in Japan.

Please take a look at what we have created with LAPTOP. And I hope you will think about this story. We aim to reclaim and reverse the unwanted attention directed at us purely for political motives over the past four years, and to build a community. We want to create something that benefits people who have had little opportunity to participate in the economy, whether through crypto assets or otherwise. That is the meaning of this token.

There is one more thing I want the world to understand. I believe that what fundamentally supports the U.S. system and its strength is stronger than any one president or individual.

I think the United States is a country that is far from perfect. While I believe it has generally had a positive influence on the world, it has also acted oppressively at times. Still, I do not think that such oppressive attitudes will ultimately be accepted.

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