World Liberty Financial (WLFI) Releases USD1 Stablecoin, Raising Conflicts of Interest Concerns

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and four other Democratic senators have expressed concern over potential conflicts of interest stemming from a stablecoin released by World Liberty Financial (WLFI)

Five Democratic senators, led by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, have expressed concern over potential conflicts of interest arising from a stablecoin released by World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a cryptocurrency company connected to U.S. President Donald Trump’s family.

In a letter to several key regulatory officials, the senators are asking what agencies plan to do about these concerns as lawmakers in both chambers of Congress seek to move forward with legislation that would put the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in charge of stablecoins.

“We write to express our deep concerns about the potential conflicts of interest posed by World Liberty Financial’s (WLFI) new USD1 stablecoin, which is backed by President Trump and his family, and what administration agencies plan to do to mitigate them,” the senators wrote in the letter.

The letter was signed by five Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. Senate. They include Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), known for her outspoken views on consumer protection and financial industry oversight. She is joined by Senators Elizabeth Manion (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Tom Carper (D-DE).

The senators’ concerns stem from the Trump family’s major stakes in WLFI and the close ties to the USD1 stablecoin. With the president’s involvement in the cryptocurrency venture and Congress simultaneously considering stablecoin legislation, the senators argue that this creates an “extraordinary conflict of interest.”

“President Trump’s involvement in this venture, as he strips financial regulators of their independence and Congress simultaneously considers stablecoin legislation, presents an extraordinary conflict of interest that could create unprecedented risks to our financial system,” the senators stated in their letter.

The lawmakers are also interested in learning more about how the administration agencies plan to mitigate the potential conflicts of interest arising from President Trump’s family financial ties.

The senators’ questions come as members of Congress are considering legislation to regulate stablecoins. One such bill, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act), aims to provide a consistent regulatory framework for stablecoins, granting the OCC and the Federal Reserve the authority to regulate the digital asset ecosystem.

If passed, the legislation would impose strict regulatory standards on stablecoin issuers such as WLFI, increasing transparency and accountability in the sector.

The senators’ concerns highlight the broader debate over stablecoins and the need for strong regulatory action. With stablecoins rapidly gaining popularity and posing both opportunities and risks to the financial system, lawmakers are under pressure to craft effective legislation.

The Trump administration’s actions, including the president’s executive order in February 2024 directing federal agencies to consult with White House officials regularly, are also facing scrutiny in the wake of the USD1 stablecoin launch.

This order, which gives the president influence over financial regulators like the OCC and the Federal Reserve, is seen by critics as increasing the potential for conflicts of interest, especially as Trump’s family has major stakes in WLFI.

Meanwhile, Congress is advancing the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins) as lawmakers throughout Congress move to address the concerns over the lack of regulation for stablecoins.

The legislation aims to provide a consistent regulatory framework for stablecoins, granting the OCC and the Federal Reserve the authority to regulate the digital asset ecosystem. If passed, the legislation would impose strict regulatory standards on stablecoin issuers such as WLFI, increasing transparency and accountability in the sector.