Trump Expands Crypto Empire With New Stablecoin Launch

President Donald Trump's crypto empire expands with a new dollar-backed stablecoin and upcoming crypto investment funds. His ventures, including USD1 from

President Donald Trump is rapidly expanding his footprint in the cryptocurrency world, with major announcements signaling that his crypto empire is becoming a centerpiece of his business interests — and potentially his presidency.

On Tuesday, World Liberty Financial, a digital asset venture co-founded by Trump alongside Steve Witkoff and his son Zach Witkoff, announced the upcoming launch of USD1, a dollar-pegged stablecoin designed for institutional and sovereign investors. The stablecoin will maintain a 1:1 ratio with the U.S. dollar, offering what the company describes as a “seamless, secure solution for cross-border transactions.”

“We’re offering a digital dollar stablecoin that sovereign investors and major institutions can confidently integrate into their strategies,” Zach Witkoff said in a statement Tuesday.

The move comes as Congress, with strong backing from the White House, advances legislation aimed at making stablecoin operations more manageable and regulated within the U.S., providing fertile ground for Trump’s ventures.

Trump’s Financial Stake in the Stablecoin Venture

World Liberty Financial’s website details that a Trump-owned company is entitled to 75% of net protocol revenues from the stablecoin project after expenses, presenting a significant financial windfall for the president. The stablecoin could generate large profits as institutional adoption of digital dollar-backed coins accelerates worldwide.

Expansion Into Crypto ETFs

Trump’s crypto ambitions don’t stop with stablecoins. On Monday, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) (NASDAQ:CMTG), parent company of the social platform Truth Social, announced a partnership with Crypto.com to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These ETFs will feature a unique basket of cryptocurrencies and “Made in America” securities spanning industries like energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure.

The announcement sent TMTG’s stock price up, a testament to investor enthusiasm around Trump’s growing crypto presence. While Trump has no day-to-day decision-making role in TMTG, he remains the majority stakeholder and largest shareholder in the company.

From Crypto Skeptic to Crypto Champion

Trump’s relationship with cryptocurrency has undergone a dramatic transformation. Once skeptical of digital currencies, Trump has now embraced crypto fully, even promising to make the U.S. the “world capital” for cryptocurrency innovation and investment. His administration has taken early steps to support the industry, which has become an increasingly powerful political player and heavily supported his campaign.

Ethical Concerns Surround Trump’s Involvement

While Trump’s family ethics agreement prevents him from direct involvement in the day-to-day operations of his businesses and limits financial reporting shared with him, it does not prevent him from personally promoting crypto-related products. And he has done so with gusto.

On Sunday, Trump took to Truth Social to hype his personal meme coin, exclaiming: “I LOVE $TRUMP — SO COOL!!! The Greatest of them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” His post caused an immediate price spike in the speculative asset. Meme coins are notoriously volatile and often begin as joke assets with no inherent value. Trump’s coin saw an initial price surge followed by a steep decline — a pattern common among meme coins.

Merchandise and Crypto Branding

Beyond coins and stablecoins, Trump’s business empire has expanded into luxury merchandise linked to cryptocurrency. He has endorsed online watch and sneaker retailers that now offer crypto-branded Trump merchandise, including the timepiece "Crypto President," which retails for $100,000.

Legislative and Political Backing

Trump’s expanding crypto business aligns with congressional efforts to regulate and promote the adoption of stablecoins, efforts strongly supported by the Trump administration. The crypto sector, emboldened by Trump’s advocacy, has emerged as a powerful political force, heavily contributing to Trump’s 2024 election campaign and influencing policy priorities.

Organizations advocating for government transparency and financial oversight have expressed concerns about Trump’s deep financial entanglement in crypto projects while in a position of public service. They are raising questions about the potential for personal enrichment to undermine public trust and blur the lines between personal business and national policy.

“This is unlike anything we’ve seen before: a sitting president profiting in real-time from speculative digital assets that his administration is actively shaping the regulatory landscape for,” one watchdog group said in a statement.

What’s Next for Trump’s Crypto Empire?

Trump’s crypto empire is only expected to grow, with the USD1 stablecoin’s launch anticipated later this year and the ETF funds becoming available to investors shortly after. Supporters argue that Trump’s embrace of digital assets will position the U.S. as a global leader in the cryptocurrency market, while critics caution that unprecedented conflicts of interest are on the horizon.

As both a political leader and business mogul, Trump’s crypto endeavors may continue to push the boundaries between private financial gain and public service — and could define how cryptocurrency evolves within the political sphere for years to come.