Trump Family Sheds 20% of World Liberty Financial Ownership

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• The Trump family has sold off 20% of its stake in World Liberty Financial, reducing its overall ownership to around 40%
• The divestment has occurred gradually in June, just as the company’s stablecoin project, USD1, gains traction globally
• The move follows heightened scrutiny from lawmakers over potential conflicts of interest involving the family’s crypto investments

A Trump-affiliated company, DT Marks DEFI LLC, has quietly sold a significant portion of its stake in World Liberty Financial, bringing its ownership down from 60% to approximately 40%. The timing of the divestment—shortly after June 8—has raised eyebrows in Washington, especially as the firm continues to expand its influence in the stablecoin market. With regulatory pressure mounting and political questions swirling around their crypto activities, the Trump family’s move appears as much strategic as it is financial.

Ownership Cut Coincides With Stablecoin Surge

The ownership reduction in World Liberty Financial was confirmed in regulatory documents and first flagged by Forbes, which reported that, based on market valuations, the sale could be worth close to $190 million. While the Trump family hasn’t publicly commented on the sale, the timing strongly suggests a desire to reduce exposure amid growing pressure on crypto firms, and especially those with politically exposed backers.

World Liberty Financial recently launched USD1, a dollar-pegged stablecoin that has quickly attracted over $550 million in token sales, and has enjoyed a $2 billion commitment by a government-linked Abu Dhabi fund. As the company’s valuation soars and its geopolitical ties deepen, lawmakers have expressed concern that private gain could be influencing public crypto policy, especially with President Trump’s inner circle directly involved.

Political Fallout and Ethical Questions

In May, Senator Richard Blumenthal accused World Liberty of stonewalling Congress, saying, “WLF’s refusal to answer even the most basic questions about President Trump’s financial entanglements…raises serious concerns.” Lawmakers have pointed to the company’s foreign investors and rapid regulatory advancements as evidence of special treatment, with critics saying the Trump family’s financial stake in a fast-moving crypto firm makes it difficult to separate their business interests from U.S. policy decisions.

Although the 20% sale reduces the Trump family’s majority control, they still retain a powerful position in World Liberty’s future. Shedding part of the stake may help deflect scrutiny without relinquishing influence, but whether this marks a long-term step back or a calculated pause in the spotlight remains unclear. Either way, it represents a shift that comes at a politically sensitive moment, as Congress debates the very rules that will shape the future of firms like World Liberty in the form of the GENIUS Act, which Trump this week labelled “incredible.”