Trump’s New Crypto Project Raises Questions

The crypto space currently needs more details regarding the services that World Liberty Financial will provide. However, this could result in some uncomfortable conflicts of interest for Trump.

It is challenging to remain informed about Donald Trump.

He is one minute insisting that Haitian immigrants are “eating the dogs” and “eating the cats” in the small Ohio hamlet of Springfield.

Next, the former president announces that he and his sons are establishing a new cryptocurrency business.

This is not Trump’s initial venture into digital assets; he has previously issued a flurry of NFTs that depict him as a rancher and a superhero.

Additionally, his campaign has been accepting cryptocurrency donations for an extended period. The Republican candidate attracted investors by participating in the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville.

Beyond its stated objective of “promoting the widespread adoption of stablecoins and finance,” there is scant information regarding World Liberty Financial’s objectives.

However, it appears that the startup is interested in simplifying the use of digital assets for everyday consumers and introducing a native token.

Trump has asserted in interviews that his sons have assisted him in acquiring an understanding of the workings of cryptocurrency, with 18-year-old Barron possessing four wallets.

World Liberty Financial has stated on X that it has been motivated by a desire to address the escalating threat of de-dollarization, which is occurring as countries worldwide establish their CBDCs.

“We aspire for U.S.-pegged stablecoins to continue serving as the primary settlement layer for the global economy for the next century.” The company wrote on X that the U.S. dollar has been the foundation of global finance for decades, but foreign nation-states are currently targeting it.

The company told skeptics, “The brightest minds in crypto are backing us, and what’s coming will make all doubters think twice.”

What is the motivation behind Trump’s crypto crusade?

The two-hour Spaces event, hosted by World Liberty Financial from Mar-a-Lago and featured Trump, was characterized by many meandering and off-topic conversations, as is customary.

“We will make our country even greater than ever, and you will be happy and love your crypto. As long as you have crypto, you will be happy,” he told “proud crypto bro” Farokh Sarmad.

This new enterprise presents a multitude of challenges to be resolved. One potential outcome is that the situation could become particularly chaotic if Trump ultimately regains control of the Oval Office in November.

Undoubtedly, there would be a plethora of inquiries regarding potential conflicts of interest, particularly in light of the Republican nominee’s commitment to announcing several pro-crypto policies. Proposals include establishing a Bitcoin reserve and implementing a concerted effort to guarantee that all remaining BTC is mined on U.S. soil.

If World Liberty Financial initiates the issuance of its tokens, regulators may become overly concerned.

However, it is worthwhile to consider why Trump is so enthusiastic about this enterprise and the potential implications for the broader industry.

Firstly, it is undeniable that the 78-year-old is facing significant financial difficulties due to a series of legal proceedings. He is in dire need of financial assistance.

Even though he holds over 50% of the shares in Trump Media, the entity that owns his social network Truth Social, the value of these shares has dropped by half over the past six months. The lock-up period that has prevented him from selling this stock will conclude next week. He has maintained that he will not do so, and its valuation would decline even further if he did.

Trump may anticipate that his pro-Bitcoin stance and name recognition will attract a wave of customers, securing him a swift payday through his involvement in cryptocurrency. The likes of Tether have demonstrated that stablecoins are pretty profitable, as they generated a net profit of $5.2 billion in the first half of 2024 due to high interest rates.

One peculiar aspect of this new endeavor is Trump’s apparent need for more comprehension regarding the cryptocurrency industry. This elucidates why his sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., will oversee the operation daily.

It is challenging to evaluate the products and services that World Liberty Financial will provide to the crypto market, as concrete information has yet to be disclosed. It is likely to offer services already available through industry leaders like Binance and Coinbase. Ruslan Lienkha, the chairman of markets at YouHodler, stated:

“It is difficult to assess the significance of Trump’s crypto project at this stage, as many details still need to be clarified and adjusted. I do not see any meaningful advantages compared to similar projects in the crypto space. Furthermore, the WLFI token appears more like a traditional financial instrument than a native crypto asset, given that it will be registered with the SEC and available only to accredited investors as an unregistered security. As such, I don’t anticipate the project significantly impacting the broader crypto industry.”

However, it will be intriguing to observe the response of crypto executives to this information. During the current election cycle, Trump has received substantial contributions from individuals such as Jesse Powell of Kraken and the Winklevoss twins, who own Gemini. Will they embrace his entry into the industry or begin to regard him as a competitor?

The U.S. election is only 47 days away, and the outcome will undoubtedly significantly impact the performance of Bitcoin and other digital assets. The emergence of World Liberty Financial adds dimension and demonstrates that Trump’s pro-crypto rhetoric is intensifying rather than diminishing.