Kate Laurensen is a veteran reporter. She started out covering entertainment news for the local city paper before moving up to the City desk. She studied journalism at San Francisco City College for the Arts.
February 6 , 2026
WASHINGTON — The White House announced Thursday the launch of TrumpRX, a federal prescription discount platform that officials say will provide “historic savings” on medications by cutting out third-party middlemen. The program marks the first time a U.S. government initiative will operate exclusively on digital currency — accepting only Bitcoin and the Trump-branded cryptocurrency known as $TRUMP coin.
In a press briefing, President Donald Trump called the move “a revolutionary step for patients and American innovation,” promising that the site will give citizens direct discounts on common prescriptions. “No more big pharmacy games,” Trump said. “We’re using technology to put the people first — and we’re doing it with Bitcoin and the world’s fastest-growing crypto, $TRUMP.”
Administration officials framed TrumpRX as part of a broader digital modernization push, combining health care access reform with the former president’s long-standing interest in cryptocurrency. Health and Human Services Secretary Karen Whitman said the platform aims to “show that digital payments can coexist with essential public health infrastructure.”
Economists and policy experts, however, expressed skepticism about how a digital-only payment model would affect adoption. Some warned that older or uninsured Americans — groups most in need of low-cost prescriptions — may face technological barriers or volatility risks tied to fluctuating crypto values.
The $TRUMP coin, already popular among online supporters, surged 22% after the announcement, while Bitcoin saw a modest 3% bump, after losing half it's value in the past six months. Several pharmacy benefit managers indicated they were reviewing the system’s compliance implications before deciding whether to participate.
According to the White House, TrumpRX will roll out nationally in phases through mid-2026, starting with mail-order and telehealth partnerships. The initiative will also feature a digital rewards program offering additional $TRUMP coin incentives for verified purchases.
Political observers described the launch as part of Trump’s broader strategy to tie economic nationalism with decentralized finance, reinforcing a narrative of self-reliance ahead of the 2026 midterm cycle.
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