A quiet Trump stake reduction at World Liberty Financial has raised questions about the intersection of political power and private crypto ventures. According to updated ownership disclosures, DT Marks DEFI LLC, the Trump family’s holding company, has reduced its stake in the stablecoin-focused platform from 75% in December 2024 to 40% by mid-June 2025. The reduction was not announced and only surfaced through changes on World Liberty Financial’s website and filings noticed by Forbes.
As President Donald Trump is pushing for the GENIUS Act, (a stablecoin bill that passed the Senate with bipartisan support this week) to be passed quickly, his family’s involvement in a company that launched a dollar-pegged stablecoin just months ago is raising ethical concerns from lawmakers and policy watchdogs.
From Crypto Powerhouse to Political Headache
World Liberty Financial, the Trump-linked DeFi venture, got hot earlier this year when it launched USD1, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin. Reports claim that in March, the company began issuing USD1 just days before the GENIUS Act moved in Congress, putting itself at the center of a sector about to be regulated. The token reportedly went live when political support for regulation was increasing, driven by Republicans and many in the industry.
But the proximity of Trump’s personal gains to policy decisions has raised eyebrows. While the president has publicly supported the bill, urging lawmakers to pass it “ASAP” in a June 19 social media post, critics say this dual role as policymaker and crypto stakeholder is a problem.
The Trump Organization has not commented. But Forbes estimates the divestment could have earned the family tens of millions of dollars, given Trump’s previously disclosed earnings of over $57 million from the project.
Senate Moves Forward While House Hesitates
The GENIUS Act, formally the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act of 2025, is the first time the Senate has passed a bill focused solely on stablecoins. If passed, it would require U.S.-based issuers to disclose reserves, anti-money laundering controls and regulatory oversight.
Now it goes to the House of Representatives, where bipartisan talks are ongoing. However, President Trump’s involvement in World Liberty Financial is already clouding the path forward. Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, say allowing politically connected stablecoin issuers to benefit from laws shaped by the executive branch erodes public trust in financial governance.
Disclosures, Timing, and Public Trust
The timing of the Trump stake reduction, just after the Senate passed the GENIUS Act, has only added to the debate over transparency and conflicts of interest. As the stablecoin sector becomes a new financial frontier,the perception of fairness and regulatory impartiality matters.
As of mid-June, World Liberty Financial has reportedly raised around $550 million via token offerings. The company is also reportedly embroiled in a controversial deal with a $2 billion investment commitment from an Abu Dhabi-based firm using the USD1 stablecoin on Binance.
Neither the Trump Organization nor World Liberty Financial has commented publicly on the sale of shares or their remaining crypto strategy.
Conclusion
This situation reveals the complexity of governing digital finance in a political environment. While the Trump family’s stake reduction may have reduced some conflict of interest concerns on paper, the bigger implications are still unclear.
The House’s decision on the GENIUS Act will be a test, not just for stablecoin policy, but for setting ethical boundaries in a crypto-integrated political world.
FAQs
How much of World Liberty Financial does the Trump family own now?
Based on reports, around 40% as of mid-June 2025, down from 75% in late 2024.
Did Trump make money from the stake sale?
While the details are unclear, Trump disclosed over $57 million in income from the project as of June so yes, he did.
Why is the GENIUS Act relevant to this story?
The GENIUS Act regulates stablecoins, a sector World Liberty Financial is in. The overlap between Trump’s political role and business interests is a conflict of interest.
What’s next?
The GENIUS Act goes to the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, calls for transparency and congressional investigations into presidential financial entanglements in crypto will define the regulatory conversation.
Glossary
Trump Stake Reduction: The Trump family’s reduction of their ownership in World Liberty Financial.
World Liberty Financial (WLF): A blockchain financial platform that launched USD1, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin and is part of the Trump Organization.
USD1 Stablecoin: A fiat-pegged digital currency issued by WLF, like USDC or USDT for payments and investments.
GENIUS Act: A Senate-passed bill to regulate stablecoins and digital dollar equivalents.
Conflict of Interest: When personal business interests can compromise a public official’s ability to make impartial decisions.
Sources
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