Who Owns World Liberty Financial | The Full Story Explained

Ownership and Founding Team

World Liberty Financial (WLF) is a decentralized finance (DeFi) project that gained significant attention due to its direct association with the family of Donald Trump. While the project is often described in the media as a "Trump-backed" venture, its ownership structure is a blend of the Trump family and a group of experienced entrepreneurs and real estate developers. As of 2026, the project has evolved into a significant player in the stablecoin and lending markets, but its roots remain tied to a specific core group of individuals.

The Trump Family Involvement

The primary figures associated with the ownership and leadership of World Liberty Financial are the sons of Donald Trump: Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Barron Trump. Eric Trump was instrumental in the initial announcement of the project in August 2024. Donald Trump Jr. has been a vocal advocate for the platform, often discussing its role in providing financial alternatives to traditional banking systems. Barron Trump, the youngest son, has also been listed as a key participant, often referred to in early documentation as the "DeFi Visionary" of the project.

The Witkoff Family Role

Beyond the Trump family, the project was co-founded by Steve Witkoff, a prominent real estate mogul and a long-time close associate of Donald Trump. His son, Zach Witkoff, is also a central figure in the project’s operations and ownership structure. The Witkoffs provided much of the initial organizational momentum, bridging the gap between traditional high-stakes real estate finance and the emerging world of blockchain-based decentralized finance.

Other Key Stakeholders

The ownership group also includes entrepreneurs such as Chase Herro and Zak Folkman. These individuals brought technical and strategic expertise in the crypto space to the venture. While the Trump and Witkoff families provide the public face and significant financial backing, the technical execution and the underlying protocol governance involve a broader team of strategists and developers focused on the "WLFI" ecosystem.

The Role of Donald Trump

A common question regarding the ownership of World Liberty Financial is the exact status of Donald Trump himself. According to official project disclosures and website listings, Donald Trump is designated as the "Co-Founder Emeritus." This title is largely ceremonial and indicates that while he was a foundational figure in the project's conception and branding, he is not involved in the day-to-day management or operational decision-making of the company.

Separation from Active Management

This "Emeritus" status became particularly relevant following his return to public office in January 2025. To manage potential conflicts of interest, the project clarified that the former president does not hold an active executive role. However, reports have indicated that the Trump family share of the venture has seen significant valuation growth, reaching billions of dollars as the platform expanded its services into stablecoins and institutional lending by 2026.

Project Mission and Vision

World Liberty Financial was built with the stated mission of "upgrading finance for the digital era." The owners have positioned the platform as a bridge between the "legacy" financial system—characterized by traditional banks and centralized oversight—and the "next-generation" financial system powered by blockchain technology. The goal is to make decentralized finance (DeFi) more accessible to mainstream users who may find existing crypto protocols too complex or intimidating.

Core Pillars of the Platform

The project focuses on three primary objectives:

• Supporting US Dollar Stability: By promoting and issuing dollar-backed stablecoins like USD1, the project aims to ensure the US dollar remains the dominant currency in the digital economy.
• Expanding Capital Access: The platform provides lending and borrowing services through third-party providers, aiming to offer faster and fairer credit options for both everyday users and institutional investors.
• Simplifying DeFi: The owners intend to remove the technical barriers that prevent the average person from participating in decentralized lending and asset management.

The USD1 Stablecoin

A major component of the World Liberty Financial ecosystem is its stablecoin, USD1. Launched to compete in an increasingly crowded market, USD1 is designed to be a reliable, global, and stable digital representation of the US dollar. The ownership group has pushed for this asset to be used not just as a trading tool on exchanges, but as a legitimate infrastructure for payments and institutional custody.

Regulatory Integration

In early 2026, World Liberty Financial made headlines by seeking a US national banking charter. By applying for a de novo charter through the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the project aims to bring USD1 deeper into the federal regulatory perimeter. This move is intended to provide the "bank-level wrapper" that institutional investors, such as market makers and investment firms, require before committing large amounts of capital to a DeFi protocol.

The WLFI Governance Token

While the Trump and Witkoff families are the primary owners of the entities behind the project (such as WLF Holdco LLC), the ecosystem also utilizes a governance token known as WLFI. This token is central to the project's claim of being a decentralized platform. Holders of WLFI tokens are theoretically able to participate in the governance of the protocol, voting on updates and changes to the system.

Token Distribution and Structure

Entity/Group	Role in Ecosystem	Primary Focus
Trump Family	Founders / Stakeholders	Branding and Strategic Vision
Witkoff Family	Co-Founders / Operations	Business Development and Real Estate Synergy
WLFI Token Holders	Governance Participants	Protocol Voting and Decentralized Oversight
WLF Holdco LLC	Parent Company	Corporate Management and Licensing

Market Position and Competition

World Liberty Financial operates in a highly competitive landscape. It competes with established DeFi protocols like Aave and MakerDAO, as well as centralized stablecoin issuers like Circle and Tether. What sets WLF apart is its high-profile political and business backing, which has allowed it to attract significant capital and media attention that many grassroots DeFi projects lack.

Trading and Accessibility

For users looking to engage with the broader cryptocurrency market, platforms like WEEX provide the necessary infrastructure to trade major assets. For instance, users interested in the foundational assets of the crypto economy can access WEEX spot trading to manage their portfolios. To begin using these services, individuals can complete their WEEX registration to access a secure trading environment.

Risks and Public Scrutiny

The ownership of World Liberty Financial has not been without controversy. Critics have frequently pointed to potential conflicts of interest, especially given the involvement of a sitting president's family in a regulated financial venture. There have been concerns regarding how the project might benefit from federal policy changes related to digital assets and stablecoin regulation.

Transparency and Compliance

To address these concerns, the project has emphasized its commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance. The application for a national trust bank charter is seen as a significant step in proving that the project intends to operate within the bounds of US law. Furthermore, the project has stated that its governance platform and tokens are not political in nature, despite the high-profile political figures involved in its creation.

Future Outlook for 2026

As of February 2026, World Liberty Financial continues to expand its footprint. With the launch of World Liberty Markets, a lending platform for its USD1 stablecoin, the project has moved from a conceptual phase into a fully operational financial service provider. The success of the project will likely depend on its ability to maintain its regulatory momentum and whether it can truly bridge the gap between the traditional financial world and the decentralized future.

Institutional Adoption

The push for institutional adoption remains a key priority for the owners. By targeting market makers and investment firms with "institutional-grade" DeFi solutions, WLF hopes to move beyond the retail-heavy focus of many early crypto projects. If successful, World Liberty Financial could become a blueprint for how traditional business dynasties integrate blockchain technology into their long-term financial strategies.