Senator John Curtis of Utah has called for an investigation into cryptocurrency ventures involving the families of the sitting and former U.S. presidents. In a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley and ranking Democrat Dick Durbin, Curtis requested subpoenas for Donald Trump Jr. and Hunter Biden to examine what he described as "the use of family relationships for private financial benefit, favoritism, or access by domestic and foreign entities."
Curtis, a first-term Republican, cited several concerns regarding Trump Jr., including active promotion of family cryptocurrency projects, involvement with prediction markets, foreign real estate transactions, and defense contracts. The senator noted that prediction market platforms fall under the authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and raised questions about whether foreign individuals may have gained access to presidential relatives through such dealings.
Curtis highlighted a private island celebration in the Bahamas following Trump Jr.'s wedding, which he stated was financed by a Russian oligarch with Kremlin connections. According to Curtis, such an arrangement raised concerns distinct from a typical wedding gift. The president later stated that his son had repaid the oligarch.
Regarding Hunter Biden, Curtis noted substantial business dealings abroad, particularly with China and Ukraine, during periods when his father held office or was seeking office. The senator argued that both individuals should testify under oath before the committee.
Senate Judiciary Committee ranking Democrat Dick Durbin supported the call for investigation, emphasizing that "corruption at the highest levels of our government should never be tolerated" and noting that Hunter Biden had already testified before Congress while Trump Jr. had not.
The investigation requests come as Congress debates cryptocurrency regulation. The letter followed failed efforts by Republican senators to secure Democratic support for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which would establish market structure regulations. Some Democrats cited concerns about cryptocurrency use related to the presidency, while Republicans stated the party had made concessions on ethics language.
