World Liberty Financial Files OCC Trust Charter to Launch USD1 Stablecoin Bank

World Liberty Financial has submitted an application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank. The company seeks to create a fully regulated entity for its USD1 stablecoin operations. This move is part of a broader trend in the crypto industry to integrate digital assets into the traditional banking system.

The proposed trust bank, World Liberty Trust Company, National Association (WLTC), will focus on stablecoin issuance, custody, and conversion. It aims to consolidate these services under a single regulated entity. The company expects this structure to provide greater institutional trust and regulatory clarity.

USD1, the stablecoin at the center of this initiative, has grown rapidly since its launch in March 2025. It has surpassed $3.3 billion in circulation within its first year. This growth has been driven by institutional adoption for cross-border payments, settlement, and treasury operations.

Why Did This Happen?

World Liberty Financial cited rising demand for regulated stablecoin infrastructure as a key driver. The company noted that USD1 is already used by institutional clients for a range of financial operations. These include cross-border payments and treasury management.

The firm's co-founder, Zach Witkoff, emphasized that this application marks an evolution of the World Liberty Financial ecosystem. He stated that USD1 grew faster in its first year than any other stablecoin in history. This momentum has prompted the firm to seek full regulatory integration.

World Liberty Financial is also aligned with recent legislative developments. The GENIUS Act, signed into law in July 2025, provides a federal framework for stablecoins. The proposed trust bank will be structured to comply with this regulatory environment.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

The proposed trust bank will offer three core services. These include stablecoin issuance and redemption, on-ramp and off-ramp services, and custody and conversion. All of these will be available without fees at launch, the company said.

The trust company plans to serve a variety of institutional clients. These include cryptocurrency exchanges, market makers, and investment firms. It also aims to enable the conversion of other stablecoins into USD1.

World Liberty Financial has already taken steps to strengthen its infrastructure. BitGo, which has supported USD1 since its launch, will continue to act as a strategic partner. The company expects this collaboration to continue as the trust bank becomes operational.

The company also announced a treasury incentive strategy to further boost USD1 adoption. It plans to allocate up to 5% of its treasury to incentivize growth in both centralized and decentralized finance platforms. This initiative aims to sustain liquidity and drive new integrations.

The application is part of a growing trend among crypto firms to seek national trust charters. Several major companies, including Circle and BitGo, have already secured conditional approvals. The OCC's role in supervising trust banks highlights the industry's shift toward federal oversight.

World Liberty Financial's application marks a significant step in the U.S. stablecoin landscape. If approved, it would embed USD1 more deeply into the traditional financial system. This could influence how institutions deploy stablecoins for settlement and payments.