Trump’s $57M crypto windfall from World Liberty Financial sparks scrutiny

U.S. President Donald Trump has reported a staggering $57.4 million in earnings linked to World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance (DeFi) project he promotes alongside his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric.

The disclosure, filed with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics on June 13, highlights Trump’s deepening ties to the cryptocurrency sector—a space he once dismissed but now profits from significantly.

The filing reveals Trump holds 15.75 billion governance tokens in World Liberty Financial, granting him substantial influence over the project’s decisions.

While the document doesn’t specify how the income was generated—whether through token sales, staking rewards, or other means—the sheer scale of the earnings has raised eyebrows among financial watchdogs.

X-raying World Liberty Financial’s $550M fundraising spree

World Liberty Financial has become a major player in DeFi, raising over $550 million from investors since its September 2024 launch. The project, which focuses on dollar-pegged stablecoins and decentralized banking alternatives, attracted $200 million in its first public token sale and another $250 million in a follow-up round earlier this year.

High-profile backers include Tron founder Justin Sun, who invested $30 million in November 2024, securing 2 billion WLFI tokens at an early price of $0.015 each. Other investors, such as Web3Port and Oddiyana Ventures, have also poured millions into the project, signaling strong institutional interest in World Liberty Financial’s vision.

Ethics concerns and Trump’s growing crypto empire

Trump’s financial disclosures have long been a subject of scrutiny, and his latest filing adds fuel to the fire. Beyond World Liberty Financial, the report outlines his involvement in various digital ventures, including the Trump Digital Trading Cards NFT collection. However, the $57.4 million tied to World Liberty Financial dwarfs his other crypto-related earnings, which were minimal or inactive in 2025.

Critics question whether Trump’s promotion of World Liberty Financial, a project positioning itself as a rival to traditional finance, creates conflicts of interest, especially as he campaigns for a second presidential term. The filing includes Trump’s certification that the information is “true, complete, and correct,” but ethics experts warn that DeFi’s opaque nature makes it difficult to verify such claims.

A strategic pivot to crypto

Once a skeptic of Bitcoin and digital assets, Trump has fully embraced the crypto boom. His alliance with World Liberty Financial aligns with a broader strategy to appeal to libertarian and tech-savvy voters. The project’s anti-establishment rhetoric, promising financial freedom outside government-controlled systems, resonates with his political base.

Yet, the lack of transparency around World Liberty Financial’s tokenomics and Trump’s exact role leaves room for skepticism. Regulatory agencies, including the SEC, have yet to comment on whether the project complies with federal securities laws.

What’s next for World Liberty Financial?

With $550 million in funding and Trump’s high-profile endorsement, World Liberty Financial is poised for further growth. However, its success hinges on navigating an increasingly strict regulatory landscape. If the project delivers on its promises, it could disrupt traditional finance, but if it falters, Trump’s $57 million windfall may face renewed scrutiny.

As the 2024 election heats up, Trump’s financial ties to World Liberty Financial will likely remain a contentious topic, blending politics, finance, and the volatile world of cryptocurrency.