Trump-Linked WLFI Seeks Banking Charter for Stablecoin Infrastructure Play
World Liberty Financial (WLFI), associated with Donald Trump, has filed for a national banking charter to establish the 'World Liberty Trust Company.' This MOVE positions USD1—WLFI's $3.3 billion stablecoin spanning 10 blockchains—as regulated financial infrastructure rather than a speculative tool.
The application signals a strategic pivot: stablecoins evolving from crypto trading instruments to institutional-grade settlement rails. WLFI's bet hinges on corporations and payment networks adopting blockchain-native dollar equivalents for daily operations, bypassing traditional banking delays.
Notably absent are mentions of specific cryptocurrencies or exchanges, suggesting WLFI aims to court traditional finance rather than crypto-native players. The timing coincides with growing regulatory scrutiny of stablecoins' reserve practices and systemic importance.