Trump Family’s Crypto Venture Sees Big Profits with Stablecoin
A new venture by the Trump family in the cryptocurrency world is proving to be very profitable. Their company, World Liberty Financial Inc., co-founded by former President Donald Trump and his sons, is expected to earn close to $150 million this year from its stablecoin, USD1, which is linked to the value of the dollar. This dollar-pegged token was launched in March 2025.
The growth of USD1 has been significantly supported by Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange globally, where most of the USD1 tokens are stored. However, World Liberty does not share any profits generated by USD1 with Binance, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Both companies assert that their partnership is not unusual. World Liberty’s spokesperson stated that it does not share revenue with any exchanges, while Binance noted that it hosts numerous stablecoins and collaborates with various companies.
Despite their claims, the relationship has greatly contributed to the Trump family’s growing wealth, making this crypto venture their most profitable endeavor, based on Bloomberg’s estimates. Currently, the valuation of World Liberty’s stablecoin business stands at around $1.7 billion, with the Trump family holding a stake worth approximately $630 million. This increases the overall value of their World Liberty assets to $2.6 billion, significantly boosting their total wealth to $7.8 billion.
Crypto Windfall for the Trump Family
The Trump family has been involved in various businesses over the years, including real estate and casinos, but their crypto venture has rapidly become a major source of income. Initially, Donald Trump had expressed skepticism about cryptocurrencies, but he has since changed his stance and is now supporting several crypto projects, including those tied to him and his wife, Melania.
The attention around World Liberty and Binance increased when Trump issued a pardon to Binance’s co-founder, Changpeng Zhao, for a previous conviction related to anti-money laundering regulations. Trump’s representatives maintain that there are no conflicts of interest with their crypto operations. A White House spokesperson emphasized that the President and his family are committed to acting in the public’s best interest.
However, some experts disagree. Eswar Prasad, a professor at Cornell University, pointed out that the Trump family’s financial interests in cryptocurrency represent a serious conflict of interest, particularly since the Trump administration oversees crypto regulation.
The Role of Stablecoins
Stablecoins like USD1 aim to mirror the value of traditional currencies, specifically the U.S. dollar, while offering faster and lower-cost transactions. Issuers like World Liberty earn income from the interest accrued on reserves that back their stablecoins.
Since its launch, USD1 has gained ground and is now among the top five stablecoins. While it is available on multiple exchanges, a significant portion is stationed on Binance. World Liberty reportedly allocates a budget for marketing on this platform.
In return, Binance has provided incentives for USD1 holders, including rewards in another cryptocurrency from World Liberty. These perks are meant to attract users and can influence buying decisions among different stablecoins.
Industry Practices
The revenue-sharing model between World Liberty and Binance is not uncommon in the crypto world. For example, Tether, a major stablecoin issuer, doesn’t share revenue either. In contrast, Circle, another leading issuer, shares a significant portion of its revenue with Coinbase, which can affect operational costs.
World Liberty relies on BitGo Holdings for various services and incurs a fee for its reserves. Estimates suggest that World Liberty will retain around $147 million from its holdings this year, which is close to previous income projections.
Trump’s earlier pardon of Zhao raised eyebrows, especially given that the former president claimed not to know him while stating the prosecution was unfair. In a recent event hosted by World Liberty, Zhao expressed optimism about Binance’s future in the U.S.
In summary, the Trump family’s dive into cryptocurrency has proven to be a lucrative move, but not without raising questions about potential conflicts of interest as they navigate the evolving landscape of digital finance.
