How Trump’s latest crypto launch enriches his family
A New Crypto Venture nets the Trump Family Billions
In a week that has underscored the deepening ties between politics and digital assets, former President Donald Trump’s family saw their on-paper wealth surge by an estimated $5 billion following the launch of a new cryptocurrency. The public debut of the $WLFI token, from the family’s co-founded venture World Liberty Financial, has ignited a firestorm of debate over ethics, influence, and the unprecedented ways the presidency is being used for personal profit.
This move is more than just another celebrity endorsement in the crypto space; it represents a significant shift in how political power and personal enterprise can intersect. While Trump’s empire was once synonymous with real estate and licensing deals, it is now rapidly being rebuilt on the blockchain.
What is World Liberty Financial ($WLFI)?
World Liberty Financial, co-founded by Donald Trump and his sons, launched its $WLFI token to the public, marking the family’s most ambitious crypto project to date. This launch allows anyone, anywhere, to buy and sell the token, creating a direct financial link between the public and the Trump family’s fortunes.
However, the market’s reception has been lukewarm. After an initial high of 32 cents, the token’s price settled to around 22 cents within its first few days of trading. It’s also crucial to note that the Trump family’s gains are, for now, entirely on paper. World Liberty Financial has stated that its founding team is currently barred from selling their token holdings, delaying any immediate cash-out.
From Crypto Skeptic to Crypto Champion
The situation is made more striking by Trump’s own history with cryptocurrency. Just a few years ago, he publicly dismissed crypto as a “scam.” His stance has since performed a complete reversal. During his recent campaign, Trump actively courted the crypto industry, vowing to make the United States the global hub for digital assets and protect the industry from regulatory overreach.
This pivot proved to be a powerful political strategy, attracting significant financial support from frustrated crypto investors and executives who felt targeted by the Biden administration’s tougher regulatory stance, particularly from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Blurring the Lines: Policy and Personal Profit
The core of the controversy lies in how Trump’s official actions as president appear to directly benefit his family’s financial interests. This raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest. Key actions include:
- The GENIUS Act: In July, President Trump signed the GENIUS Act, the nation’s first major standalone crypto legislation, signaling a friendly federal stance toward the industry.
- Crypto-Friendly Appointments: Upon taking office, Trump appointed Paul Atkins, a known crypto supporter, to head the SEC. This agency had previously led aggressive crackdowns on crypto firms for alleged fraud and securities violations.
These policy shifts create a more relaxed regulatory environment, from which ventures like World Liberty Financial stand to profit enormously. As one former banking regulator, Ross Delston, noted, investing in the token is a new, more accessible way to curry favor with the president. “You used to have to join Mar-a-Lago,” he said. “This is much more fun. You don’t even have to get out of bed in the morning… you can invest in this [cryptocurrency], and now he’s your friend.”
Accusations of Corruption and the White House Response
Critics have not minced words. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren labeled the situation “corruption, plain and simple” on social media. The concern is that anyone—including foreign actors or individuals with questionable backgrounds—can now financially support the president’s family through an unregulated digital asset, potentially in exchange for political influence.
The White House has consistently pushed back against these allegations. In a statement, press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted, “Neither the President nor his family have ever engaged, or will ever engage, in conflicts of interest.”
What This Means for the Future of Crypto and Politics
The launch of the $WLFI token marks a new chapter in the intersection of cryptocurrency and high-stakes politics. While the immediate payday is locked, the debut has established new pathways for the Trump family to capitalize on the very industry they are now in a position to regulate.
The lack of clear guardrails governing how a president can co-mingle personal business ventures with official duties is now on full display. As the story of how
