Hyperithm CEO Joins Key Figures at Private Trump Coin Events

Protests Outside Venue Highlight Allegations of Corruption and Unethical Actions

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lim Hwa-seop — Notable South Korean figures were among those attending a private event hosted by former U.S. President Donald Trump for top holders of his cryptocurrency, 'Trump Coin ($TRUMP).'

On the 23rd (local time), major U.S. media reported that Trump organized a dinner on the 22nd at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, near Washington, D.C., for over 200 top Trump Coin holders. The following day, around 20 VIP guests from the initial event were treated to an informal White House tour.

Selection for the events was based on coin holdings, with the top 220 invited on the first day and the top 25 invited for the second day. The rules allowed the transfer of dinner tickets for the first event but stipulated that only the original invitee could attend without any companions.

South Korean Osang Lyu, CEO of the Seoul-based digital asset management firm Hyperithm, attended both events, ranking within the top 25 Trump Coin holders.

The New York Times described Hyperithm as "a company managing digital assets for institutional investors in Asia, based in Seoul and Tokyo." Lyu was seen entering the dinner on the 22nd and later near the White House before the VIP tour, according to the publication.

Rha Su-kyoung, Hyperithm's Chief Operating Officer (COO), was listed for the event on the 22nd and shared on LinkedIn, "I’ll be in Washington, D.C., this week for the 'Get Trump Memes' event at Trump National Golf Club." Her attendance, however, remains unconfirmed.

The New York Times noted that guest lists for the events were not disclosed beforehand, and even attendees had limited knowledge of others invited. Media outlets relied on eyewitness accounts, scene-obtained guest lists, and social media posts to identify participants.

Witnessed attending the dinner on the 22nd was Justin Sun, TRON's founder, who has faced legal issues. In 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Sun with fraud, and in 2024, his $75 million investment in Trump-family cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial raised ethical concerns.

Other high-profile attendees reportedly included former NBA player Lamar Odom and various celebrities.

Protests Escalate Amid Allegations of Corruption and Unethical Conduct

NBC News reported that the events triggered protests outside the venue. On the 22nd, the outlet described, “Luxury cars entered Trump’s golf club while demonstrators accused the event of being an unethical strategy for the president to profit from meme coin purchases or sway others.”

Around 100 protesters gathered near the golf club with signs such as “Stop Crypto Corruption” and “Reveal the Attendee List.”

Michelle Bistritsky, an Austin, Texas, resident, shared through Instagram direct message, “The crowd included executives, crypto enthusiasts, influencers, and celebrities—we met Lamar Odom, which was incredible.” She estimated about five women were present, noting a roughly 50-50 ratio between Americans and international attendees, including individuals from China, the Philippines, Dubai, and Korea.

This exclusive event highlights the interplay of politics, cryptocurrency, and celebrity influence, yet raises concerns about ethics, transparency, and regulatory scrutiny in this evolving space.