Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the company behind the Truth Social platform, says it is preparing to launch a paid API that will let institutional Wall Street users pull posts from selected high-impact Truth Social accounts in real time.

In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, TMTG states the “Truth API” is expected to be available to institutional customers starting Aug. 1, 2026. The service is designed for low-latency, machine-readable access—useful for high-frequency and algorithmic trading firms that want faster integration than manual browsing or slower data collection methods.

Key takeaways

• Trump Media is launching a paid Truth Social API aimed at institutional customers and market data workflows.
• Availability is targeted for Aug. 1, 2026, with a focus on real-time, licensed content from influential accounts.
• The API is intended for algorithmic and high-frequency trading that prioritizes low latency and machine readability.
• TMTG says scraping prior approaches violate its terms and that the company wants to increase friction for non-direct data collection.
• Truth Social posts have previously been cited as market-moving, including posts connected to U.S.–Iran developments.

A licensed, real-time feed for institutions

According to TMTG’s SEC filing, the Truth API is positioned as a direct, licensed channel for retrieving posts from Truth Social’s most “market-moving” accounts. The company is explicitly pitching the product to professional trading and market data users that need data in a format that systems can ingest quickly.

The filing emphasizes that the API is meant to deliver a real-time feed, tailored for scenarios where timing matters—especially for automated strategies. That framing matters to investors and market participants because it acknowledges a practical reality: social-media headlines and posts can influence how quickly traders react, and the gap between posting and data availability can affect execution.

Low latency and “friction” for scraping

In comments tied to the rollout, TMTG’s interim CEO Kevin McGurn said that Truth API provides a direct licensed stream of the platform’s “most market-moving Truths,” while also supporting the company’s goal of monetizing proprietary assets through recurring revenue.

The company also drew a line around how data should be obtained. In the filing, McGurn says companies have previously attempted to scrape Truth Social data, which he characterizes as a violation of the platform’s terms of service. He adds that Truth API is expected to “create a lot of friction” for those who do not come to the company directly.

For market participants, this shift is significant. Scraping-based approaches typically come with reliability and compliance risks—such as sudden changes in access patterns, blocking, or disputes over licensing. A formal API, by contrast, signals a more structured data pipeline that may be easier to incorporate into regulated or vendor-driven workflows.

Which accounts are in scope

TMTG’s announcement highlights that the API is intended to deliver posts from influential accounts, including Donald Trump (as President and as the operator of the Truth Social account named in the filing). The SEC documentation also references other major figures on the platform, including Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, and FBI Director Kash Patel.

Separately, the company points to prior instances where posts from Trump’s Truth Social account were associated with market attention. The article notes examples tied to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the U.S.—a reminder that Truth Social content is being watched not only as political commentary, but as a potential driver of market narratives.

Even with the API’s focus on “market-moving” accounts, investors should consider a key uncertainty: the SEC filing and the accompanying description do not spell out—within the provided text—exactly how “market-moving” is determined, how frequently the account set could change, or what latency benchmarks will be provided to customers.

Why an API matters for trading workflows

Social-media data has long been used in trading, but the quality of that data pipeline—particularly speed, structure, and licensing—often determines whether it can be reliably used for automation. By targeting low-latency delivery to institutional users, TMTG is effectively positioning Truth Social as a more integration-ready source of information for quantitative systems.

Just as importantly, the company’s approach frames the business model: rather than relying on incidental discovery or indirect data access, TMTG is attempting to convert platform influence into a recurring, licensed data service. The “high-margin, recurring revenue stream” language in McGurn’s statement suggests the API is intended to become a durable line of monetization, not a one-off product experiment.

As Aug. 1, 2026 approaches, market observers will likely watch for more operational details—especially how the API will handle access controls, content eligibility, and real-time performance expectations for institutional customers. Those specifics will determine whether Truth API becomes a practical component of algorithmic strategies or remains largely a compliance-first licensing alternative.

Trump Media, the company that operates the Truth Social network, said Thursday it was launching a new paid-for API that gives Wall Street firms “the fastest” access to posts from the most influential Truth Social accounts, including US President Donald Trump.

The API is targeted to be available to institutional customers from Aug. 1, 2026, and is aimed at high-frequency and algorithmic trading firms that require a low-latency, machine-readable feed, said the company on Thursday. 

“Markets already move on Truth Social posts,” said Kevin McGurn, interim CEO of TMTG in a statement. “Truth API delivers a direct, licensed, real-time feed of the platform’s most market-moving Truths while advancing our strategy to monetize proprietary assets through a high-margin, recurring revenue stream.”

Posts from Trump’s Truth Social account have moved markets, with the most recent examples being his posts relating to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US. Other major accounts on Truth Social include Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel. 

“Companies have previously tried to scrape data from Truth Social, which is in violation of its terms of service,” McGurn said, according to CNN. 

“We’re going to create a lot of friction for those folks that aren’t coming to us directly,” he added.

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Network School founder Balaji Srinivasan says he is seeking a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia after Malaysian authorities probed his Forest City tech community over allegations that it may have hosted Israeli citizens using second passports. Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry said it is investigating the start-up community in Johor following claims that Israelis were present in violation of immigration rules.

The situation underscores a challenge for crypto-adjacent “digital utopia” projects: even when communities aim to build their own institutions and economies, they still rely on conventional nation-states for legal certainty. Srinivasan has linked the next phase of his Malaysia expansion plans to getting that assurance.

Key takeaways

• Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry is investigating Network School in Johor after allegations of Israeli nationals using second passports.
• Authorities’ initial checks reportedly found that 266 foreign residents held valid documents.
• Srinivasan is asking Malaysia for written assurances—possibly a memorandum of understanding or changes tied to a special economic zone.
• He says further investment in Malaysia, including a $122 million expansion plan, is on hold pending “sufficient assurance” that issues won’t repeat.

Malaysia investigation follows immigration-related claims

Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry said Tuesday that it is investigating Network School’s operations in Johor after claims surfaced alleging that the community included Israelis who may have breached immigration laws. In an early review, the ministry said it found no immediate documentary irregularities—reportedly confirming that 266 foreigners under the initiative had valid documents.

According to the ministry’s statement, the probe is tied to specific allegations rather than a blanket rejection of the project. Still, the inquiry puts Network School’s continued ability to attract and house foreign participants under closer scrutiny.

Srinivasan pushes for written legal certainty

Srinivasan said the reason for pursuing an agreement with Malaysia is to provide Network School with “legal certainty” that would allow it to continue investing and operating in the country. Without such a document, he suggested, the community could redirect its capital elsewhere.

In a video addressed to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Srinivasan said he wants more than general statements welcoming tech; he wants personal, written confirmation that Network School will be considered welcome. He also indicated he is open to different legal mechanisms, including a memorandum of understanding or modifications tied to a special economic zone provision.

While Srinivasan did not lay out specific terms publicly, his messaging focused on predictability: investors and community operators need clarity about the legal status of participants, not just broad political signals.

He also said he is pausing any further investment in Malaysia, including a planned $122 million expansion, until he receives “sufficient assurance” that the immigration issues raised during this episode do not recur.

How the allegations surfaced

Claims that Network School was harboring Israeli citizens were traced back to an Instagram post from “Malaysian Protest 4 Palestine,” an activist group that accused the school of becoming a “gathering place for Israeli entrepreneurs.” In its course of action, the post helped spur immigration scrutiny that then moved to the Malaysian Home Affairs Ministry.

Malaysian policy on entry for Israeli passport holders is central to the dispute. The article notes that Israeli passport holders are forbidden from entering Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, without written permission from the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs—reflecting Malaysia’s lack of diplomatic relations with Israel and its stated position of not recognizing Israel.

Importantly, while the investigation is ongoing, the ministry’s initial checks reportedly did not find immediate evidence—at least at the documentation level—that foreign residents lacked valid paperwork. That creates a key uncertainty going forward: authorities may still need to determine whether the allegations relate to residency status, identity verification, the use of alternate travel documents, or other aspects not covered by “valid documents” alone.

Why this matters for crypto-linked community models

Beyond the specifics of one tech community, the episode reflects a recurring tension for crypto-leaning projects that describe themselves as building new social and economic systems. Such initiatives often emphasize borderless or community-driven norms, but they still require host governments to provide stable, enforceable rules—especially when the project involves foreign nationals and long-term operations.

For investors and participants, the difference between informal tolerance and formal assurance can determine where capital goes next. Srinivasan’s decision to pause a large expansion plan suggests Network School is treating immigration uncertainty as a material risk to its business continuity, not a temporary public-relations issue.

If Malaysia provides the kind of written clarity Srinivasan is requesting, the project could regain confidence for future fundraising and staffing. If not, the story hints at a broader pattern: even when “build-first” communities develop successfully, compliance and policy certainty may become the bottleneck.

Readers should watch for what Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry concludes in the investigation, and whether any formal agreement—such as a memorandum of understanding or changes tied to existing special economic zone rules—emerges that addresses the specific compliance concerns raised in this case.

Network School founder Balaji Srinivasan is seeking a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia after authorities probed his Forest City tech community over allegations it was hosting Israeli citizens using second passports. 

Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry said Tuesday it was investigating Srinivasan’s start-up community in Johor following claims it included Israelis in violation of immigration laws. Initial checks found all 266 foreigners held valid documents. 

Srinivasan said the agreement would give Network School legal certainty to continue investing in Malaysia. Without it, he said, the community could take its capital to countries that are more welcoming. 

“I’d like to have a document which says not just abstractly that tech is welcome … but rather that we’re personally welcome,” Srinivasan said in a video directed at Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday. 

The episode highlights a tension faced by many crypto utopias, which aspire to build digital-native communities with their own institutions and economies, but still depend on conventional states for legal certainty. 

Balaji, the former chief technology officer of Coinbase, launched his Network School in August 2024 in Johor’s Forest City, which is located about an hour from Singapore. It is marketed as a physical community of tech builders, creators and founders. 

Srinivasan did not give the specifics of what a deal with Malaysia could include, but suggested it could be a memorandum of understanding or a modification of a special economic zone provision. 

Related: Balaji calls for more ‘crypto tools’ for refugees amid Middle East tensions

“If not, then we will readily go somewhere else because I don’t want to be where we’re not welcome,” he said.  

Srinivasan also announced that he is putting any further investment in Malaysia, including a $122 million plan to expand its community, on hold until it gets “sufficient assurance” that such issues don’t recur. 

Instagram post led to immigration probe

Claims that the Network School was harboring Israeli citizens have been traced back to a social media post on Friday from activist group “Malaysian Protest 4 Palestine,” which accused the school of becoming a “gathering place for Israeli entrepreneurs.” 

Israeli passport holders are forbidden from entering Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, without written permission from the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs, as Malaysia does not recognize Israel and does not have any diplomatic relations with the country. 

Magazine: Gambling on random Pokémon cards: Onchain gagcha hits record high as crypto sinks

South Korea has raised interest rates for the first time since January 2023, shifting monetary policy toward tighter conditions in one of the world’s most active retail crypto markets.

The Bank of Korea raised its benchmark rate by 25 basis points from 2.50% to 2.75% on July 16. All seven members of the Monetary Policy Board supported the decision. The central bank also said further increases may be needed depending on inflation, growth and financial stability conditions.

Bank of Korea shifts toward tighter monetary policy

The rate increase was widely expected. A Reuters poll found that 36 of 37 economists expected the central bank to raise its policy rate to 2.75%.

The Bank of Korea cited stronger exports and investment, persistent inflation and risks to financial stability. June consumer inflation reached 3.2%, while the central bank expects economic growth to exceed its previous 2.6% forecast by a wide margin.

Governor Hyun Song Shin said developments in growth, inflation and financial stability all supported a rate increase. The bank also said monetary policy may need to remain on a tightening path, with future decisions depending on economic data.

Higher interest rates generally raise borrowing costs and can reduce demand for speculative assets. For crypto markets, the direct effect may depend on whether tighter local financial conditions reduce the amount of won available for trading.

South Korea remains a major retail crypto market

South Korea continues to play an important role in global cryptocurrency trading. Local exchanges such as Upbit and Bithumb regularly generate large volumes in won-denominated markets, especially for altcoins.

As previously reported by crypto.news, XRP briefly became the most traded asset on Upbit in May, recording about $110.9 million in daily volume compared with $88.6 million for Bitcoin and $67 million for Ethereum. That trading pattern showed the continued influence of Korean retail traders on individual crypto markets.

Recent listings also show that crypto exchanges continue to target Korean traders. As reported by crypto.news, Upbit added Derive’s DRV token to its KRW, BTC and USDT markets on July 14, while Bithumb also introduced a won trading pair.

Crypto demand had already weakened before the rate hike

The rate increase comes after local crypto activity had already fallen from earlier peaks. However, cryptocurrency holdings among South Korean investors dropped from about $83.3 billion in January 2025 to $41.4 billion by February 2026.

Daily trading volume across five major domestic exchanges also declined from about $11.6 billion in December 2024 to roughly $3 billion in February. Won deposits held at exchanges fell from 10.7 trillion won to 7.8 trillion won, pointing to weaker cash demand for crypto trading.

Higher rates could add another restraint on speculative activity if households choose deposits, bonds or other yield-bearing assets over cryptocurrencies. However, crypto prices also depend heavily on global monetary policy, institutional flows and broader market conditions.

Further rate hikes could keep liquidity under pressure

The Bank of Korea has left the door open to additional tightening. Reuters reported that many economists expect at least one more increase this year, potentially taking the benchmark rate to 3.00%.

For South Korea’s crypto market, the policy shift comes as local retail participation has already cooled from previous highs. Further increases could keep domestic liquidity tighter, while stronger global institutional demand may become more important in supporting broader crypto risk appetite.