tl;dr
The Trump family has reduced its ownership stake in World Liberty Financial (WLF) from 60% to about 40% through DT Marks DEFI LLC, amid growing scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers. WLF is a decentralized finance protocol linked to the Trump family, holding 22.5 billion WLFI tokens and receiving 75% o...
The Trump family has reduced its majority stake in World Liberty Financial (WLF) from 60% to about 40% through DT Marks DEFI LLC, reflecting a potential shift amid increasing regulatory scrutiny. This change was disclosed in an update to the company’s legal filings, signaling a significant move as Democratic lawmakers intensify their examination of the decentralized finance (DeFi) project linked to the Trump family.
World Liberty Financial, introduced in September 2024, is a DeFi protocol and cryptocurrency company that has been closely associated with the Trump family since its launch. DT Marks DEFI LLC, an entity affiliated with Donald Trump and certain family members, collectively holds 22.5 billion WLFI tokens and receives 75% of the token sale proceeds after expenses. Notably, in June, Donald Trump reportedly earned $57 million from the sale of these tokens.
The reduction from 60% to 40% ownership suggests either a private sale or an internal restructuring, although the company has not provided an official explanation. WLF Holdco LLC, the parent company fully owning World Liberty Financial, reflects this shift in its equity structure, marking a 20% decrease in Trump-linked ownership since March 2025.
This ownership change comes at a time of heightened regulatory attention. The U.S. Senate recently passed the GENIUS Act, a bill aiming to create the first federal regulatory framework for stablecoins, a central aspect of WLF's offerings. At the heart of the scrutiny is the company's stablecoin, USD1, launched in March on the Ethereum and BNB Chain networks.
Adding to the pressure, Senator Richard Blumenthal has opened an investigation into World Liberty Financial and its connections to Donald Trump. The senator criticized WLFI for not addressing basic questions about the President’s financial ties to the company, emphasizing the need for transparency for the American public.
As regulatory bodies move closer to overseeing stablecoins and related DeFi projects, the Trump family’s decision to scale back its stake in World Liberty Financial may mark a strategic response to evolving legal and political challenges facing this controversial crypto venture.