World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, has applied for a U.S. banking license. If approved, the move would significantly expand the firm’s access to the traditional financial system and accelerate the Trump family’s growing footprint in crypto.

The Trump family’s crypto company, World Liberty Financial (WLF), is seeking a federal banking charter that would allow it to issue and custody its USD1 stablecoin. With the license, WLF could operate as a regulated banking entity and integrate more directly into mainstream finance.

A digital-first bank for crypto

A banking license would place WLF under federal supervision and strengthen its legitimacy in the eyes of institutional partners. If approved, the charter could position the company as a “digital-first bank” focused on crypto services, initially targeting institutional clients before expanding to retail users.

Such a step could increase pressure on traditional banks and further accelerate crypto adoption in key areas of the financial system.

Politics, regulation, and conflict of interest

Under the proposed structure, WLF would fall under a single federal regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), rather than applying for individual state licenses. The model would also help the firm comply with the Genius Act, legislation approved by Congress last July that tightens regulation of stablecoins.

The application highlights the growing tension between crypto innovation and political oversight. Supporters frame the move as strengthening U.S. leadership in crypto, in line with Trump’s openly pro-crypto stance. Critics, mainly Democrats, warn of potential conflicts of interest, pointing to Trump’s dual role as president and beneficiary.

WLF’s bid comes just a month after the OCC conditionally approved banking charters for five other crypto firms, including payments group Ripple and digital asset custodian BitGo, which currently issues and safeguards USD1.

Founded in late 2024 by Trump’s three sons and the sons of Trump’s special envoy for peace negotiations, Steve Witkoff, WLF operates two tokens: the tradeable WLFI token and the USD1 stablecoin, which has a total market capitalization of roughly $3.3 billion.

WLF is one of several crypto ventures launched by Trump and his family over the past year. The president has embraced digital trading cards, stablecoins, tokens, and a decentralized finance platform while leading the world’s largest economy.

Just days before returning to office, Trump also launched meme coins linked to himself and his wife Melania Trump. Since then, he has pardoned several crypto executives convicted of criminal charges and appointed industry-friendly figures to key regulatory roles.

Zdroje:

https://www.ft.com/content/468c5f3a-0ab9-4756-85e2-22adb948db62

https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/trump-linked-world-liberty-financial-seeks-license-launch-trust-bank-2026-01-07/

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-wlfi-become-us-bank-081510595.html