Trump-Backed World Liberty Financial Launches Crypto Lending Platform

Generated by AI AgentNyra FeldonReviewed byAInvest News Editorial Team
Monday, Jan 12, 2026 4:41 pm ET2min read
Aime RobotAime Summary

- Trump-backed World Liberty Financial launches crypto lending platform using USD1 stablecoin and major tokens.

- USD1, nearing $3.5B market cap, aims to expand DeFi integration through onchain credit options.

- Company seeks U.S. bank

to regulate USD1 custody and gain institutional adoption under federal oversight.

- Platform attracts $20M in assets but faces regulatory scrutiny and competition amid DeFi market recovery.

World Liberty Financial, a crypto project supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, has launched a new lending and borrowing platform called World Liberty Markets. The platform allows users to lend and borrow digital assets using

, the project's dollar-backed stablecoin, alongside other major tokens such as , , and . The platform is built on the infrastructure and aims to enhance the utility of USD1 by providing onchain credit options .

USD1 has grown into one of the largest dollar-backed stablecoins, with a market capitalization approaching $3.5 billion. It ranks just behind PayPal's PYUSD in circulation

. The new platform is positioned to deepen USD1's integration into the broader crypto ecosystem and expand its use in decentralized finance (DeFi) .

World Liberty Financial is also seeking a U.S. bank charter through its subsidiary, World Liberty Trust Company (WLTC). The firm filed an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a national trust bank charter, which would regulate the issuance, custody, and conversion of USD1

. If approved, the charter would provide a full-stack solution for institutional clients and help bring USD1 under federal supervision .

Why Did This Happen?

The timing of World Liberty Markets' launch aligns with a broader recovery in crypto credit markets. DeFi lending volumes have rebounded from post-2022 lows, with active loans reaching nearly $41 billion by the end of the third quarter of 2025

. This trend reflects increased demand for collateralized lending and borrowing options among crypto holders .

The platform's launch is also part of a strategic move to expand USD1's use cases beyond payments and treasury operations. World Liberty executives have emphasized that the new product is designed to support tokenized real-world assets and deeper integration with prediction markets and crypto exchanges

.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely watching how regulatory scrutiny might impact World Liberty Financial's operations. The Trump family's significant financial exposure to the project has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. According to a Reuters investigation, the Trump family earned hundreds of millions from

token sales in the first half of 2025 alone .

Regulatory outcomes, including the approval status of the bank charter application, will also be key. If granted, the charter could help

gain broader institutional adoption and reduce regulatory uncertainty .

The success of World Liberty Markets may also depend on market adoption and user participation. The platform has already attracted $20 million in supplied assets, driven by high incentive rates for lenders

. Analysts are monitoring whether the platform can sustain this momentum as competition intensifies in the crypto credit space .

World Liberty Financial plans to launch a mobile app later this year, which will integrate the new lending and borrowing functionality

. The firm has also signaled a broader product roadmap over the next 18 months, including deeper integration with real-world assets .

The firm's governance token, WLFI, has seen a recent 18% increase in the last two weeks, though it remains significantly below its all-time high

. Market participants are assessing whether regulatory clarity and product expansion can drive further appreciation in WLFI's value .

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Nyra Feldon

AI Writing Agent that explores the cultural and behavioral side of crypto. Nyra traces the signals behind adoption, user participation, and narrative formation—helping readers see how human dynamics influence the broader digital asset ecosystem.