Trump's Crypto Empire Expands with New Stablecoin and Investment Fund Plans.
President Donald Trump’s crypto empire continues to grow, with new ventures in both stablecoins and digital asset investment funds. His latest moves follow his unconventional approach to cryptocurrency, which could considerably increase his personal wealth while still in office.
World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture Trump co-launched last year, announced on Tuesday that it will be introducing USD1, a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1-to-1 ratio. Stablecoins, which are typically tied to a government-backed currency or gold, have become one of the fastest-growing segments of the cryptocurrency market. Their stability makes them more suitable for commercial transactions compared to more volatile digital currencies like bitcoin.
“We’re offering a digital dollar stablecoin that sovereign investors and major institutions can confidently integrate into their strategies for seamless, secure cross-border transactions,” said Zach Witkoff, co-founder of World Liberty Financial, in a statement.
This announcement arrives at a time when there’s increasing support in Congress—and from the White House—for legislation that would facilitate the growth and operation of stablecoin companies in the U.S. Trump’s involvement in World Liberty Financial comes through his connection with the Witkoff family, including his special diplomatic envoy, Steve Witkoff. World Liberty’s terms indicate that a Trump-owned company has a “right to receive 75% of the net protocol revenues” from the company after expenses.
RELATED: Trump Effect Sparks Billion-Dollar Crypto Memecoin Surge.
Additionally, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) announced its partnership with the crypto-trading firm Crypto.com on Monday to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) later this year. These funds will feature a “unique ETF basket of cryptocurrencies” and “securities with a Made in America focus spanning diverse industries such as energy,” according to a TMTG announcement. Trump’s social media company, Truth Social, is part of TMTG, and although Trump has no decision-making role in the company, he is its largest shareholder.
The latest moves come as part of an increasing number of crypto-related initiatives that Trump has embraced, including his own meme coin. Despite being initially skeptical of digital assets, Trump has since pledged to make the U.S. the "world capital" of cryptocurrencies, a stance that has earned both praise and criticism.
Before his presidency, the Trump family business signed an ethics agreement prohibiting the president from engaging in "day-to-day" operations of his companies and limiting the financial information shared with him. However, this agreement doesn’t prevent Trump from promoting his crypto ventures. He recently hyped his meme coin on social media, saying, “I LOVE $TRUMP — SO COOL!!! The Greatest of them all!!!!!!!!!!!!” This post resulted in a brief spike in the coin’s price.
While Trump’s embrace of cryptocurrency and digital assets may align with his entrepreneurial ambitions, it raises serious ethical concerns. As a public official, his involvement in private ventures, particularly those related to speculative and volatile markets like crypto, may blur the lines between personal gain and public service. The expansion of his crypto empire, while potentially lucrative, warrants closer scrutiny given its potential influence on his decisions and policies. Whether these initiatives reflect genuine efforts to support the crypto market or are self-serving remains to be seen.
