Trump-Linked Firm Quietly Trims Stake in World Liberty Financial Amid Crypto Scrutiny
A firm with close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump has quietly reduced its ownership stake in World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform that has been under increasing political and public scrutiny.
DT Marks DeFi LLC, a company associated with Trump and his inner circle, now holds 40% equity in the holding company behind World Liberty Financial. That’s down from 60% in March, and a notable drop from 75% in December 2024, according to legal disclosures and a report by Forbes.
Dan Alexander
The timing of the reduction hasn’t been publicly confirmed, but the quiet nature of the move raises questions about whether the firm is distancing itself from potential legal or ethical complications tied to the president’s crypto activities.
Trump’s involvement in digital assets has become a flashpoint since his return to office in January. His launch of a memecoin shortly afterward raised eyebrows, followed by crypto-themed donor dinners that sparked bipartisan concerns about preferential access for supporters tied to his crypto ventures.
In March, Senate Democrats formally questioned the administration over Trump's potential connections to Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, citing worries about regulatory compliance and possible conflicts of interest.
According to SEC filings, DT Marks DeFi LLC is listed as a “related person” alongside Trump, his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., and Zachary Folkman, director of World Liberty Financial. This adds further complexity to any official dealings involving the project.
Inside World Liberty Financial: Tokens, Stablecoins, and Airdrops
Launched in October 2024, World Liberty Financial operates two key digital assets:
- WLFI, its primary token
- USD1, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin supported by cash reserves, Treasuries, and equivalents
Earlier this month, WLFI holders received 47 USD1 tokens in a promotional airdrop. USD1 has also been used in high-profile transactions, including the settlement of Binance’s $2 billion investment from Abu Dhabi-based firm MGX.
As of June 19, the stablecoin has a total supply of 2.2 billion, according to data.
The reduction in DT Marks DeFi’s stake may suggest a strategic shift amid mounting criticism—or an attempt to downplay Trump’s direct financial ties to a crypto project operating in a politically sensitive space. While no formal wrongdoing has been alleged, the perception of a sitting president closely tied to a DeFi operation is already a rarity—and one that continues to fuel debate in Washington.