- World Liberty Financial plans a token reserve, deepening Trump family crypto ties.
- Trump Jr. backs World Liberty’s crypto push amid growing regulatory scrutiny.
- WLF expands crypto holdings, raising concerns over political conflicts of interest.
World Liberty Financial (WLF), a DeFi project connected to the Trump family, revealed plans to establish a strategic token reserve during the Ondo Finance summit in New York. Sources stated that Chase Herro, WLF co-founder, announced the initiative during a panel discussion alongside co-founders Zak Folkman and Zach Witkoff, though specific objectives for the reserve remain undefined.
The announcement gains particular importance following President Trump’s recent executive action calling for the evaluation of a national digital asset stockpile. World Liberty Financial has already shown its market presence through major token acquisitions, including a $470M ONDO token, made on the day of the summit.
Donald Trump Jr.’s appearance at the Summit showed the family’s deepening involvement in the cryptocurrency sector. Trump Jr., who serves as a Web3 Advisor to World Liberty Financial alongside his brothers Eric and Barron, attracted considerable attention from conference attendees, highlighting the project’s high-profile connections.
The platform’s recent activities include substantial Ethereum purchases following weekend market turbulence triggered by brief U.S. tariffs on Mexico and Canada. While marketed as a DeFi lending platform, World Liberty Financial has yet to launch operational services, but is focused on accumulating various cryptocurrency holdings.
The summit featured prominent regulatory figures, including House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry and acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham. Former CFTC Chair J. Christopher Giancarlo praised the administration’s crypto initiatives but acknowledged challenges in policy implementation. William Hinman, senior advisor at Andreessen Horowitz, cautioned that regulatory changes would require time, particularly regarding SEC approaches to digital assets.
Related: Ondo Chain Launch Brings ETFs, Stocks, and Bonds to DeFi
The Trump family’s growing influence in cryptocurrency markets has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, given the administration’s regulatory authority. These concerns persist as World Liberty Financial continues to expand its token acquisitions and market presence while maintaining close ties to key administrative figures.
The involvement of Steve Witkoff’s son Zach, who comes from Trump’s close ally circle and is now positioned as Middle East envoy, further shows the intricate connections between the project’s leadership and the administration. Trump’s vision has helped to push Bitcoin to new all-time highs back to back and now awaits how the crypto industry matures under Trump’s administration.
