World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance company co-founded by Donald Trump Jr., has announced its intention to launch a cryptocurrency debit card. The card is scheduled for release in late 2025 or early 2026, with a pilot program set to begin in the next quarter. The announcement was made by CEO Zach Witkoff at the Token 2049 conference in Singapore.
The company also detailed its strategy to tokenize real-world assets, including properties from the Trump family's real estate portfolio. This initiative follows the launch of its USD1 stablecoin and has drawn scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers over potential conflicts of interest.
Key Takeaways
- World Liberty Financial plans to release a crypto debit card by early 2026, enabling users to spend digital assets.
- The company is actively developing plans to tokenize real-world assets like real estate, oil, and gas.
- The Trump family has reportedly earned approximately $500 million from the venture since its launch.
- A $2 billion deal involving the company's stablecoin has prompted criticism from U.S. Senators regarding potential conflicts of interest.
Debit Card and Expansion Plans
CEO Zach Witkoff, speaking alongside Donald Trump Jr. on October 1, confirmed the company's move into consumer finance products. The primary offering will be a debit card designed to bridge the gap between digital currency holdings and everyday transactions.
A pilot program for the debit card is slated to commence in the upcoming quarter, allowing for testing and refinement before a full public launch. World Liberty Financial, which began operations last fall, aims to provide financial services using cryptocurrencies as an alternative to traditional banking systems.
About World Liberty Financial
Launched in the fall of 2024, World Liberty Financial focuses on decentralized finance (DeFi). In September 2025, the company introduced its governance token, $WLFI, which grants holders voting rights on certain company decisions. According to data from CoinGecko, the token was recently trading at $0.2011.
Tokenization of Real-World Assets
A central part of World Liberty Financial's long-term strategy involves the tokenization of tangible assets. Witkoff explained that the company is pursuing plans to convert physical assets such as real estate, oil, and gas into tradable digital tokens on the blockchain.
He suggested that properties from the Trump family's extensive real estate portfolio could be included in this initiative. "What if I told you that you could go on an exchange and buy one token of Trump Tower Dubai?" Witkoff posed to the conference audience. He argued that this approach would democratize access to high-value real estate, which is typically accessible only through real estate investment trusts (REITs) or public corporations.
The company's proprietary stablecoin, USD1, will be foundational to this ecosystem. Launched in March 2025 and pegged to the U.S. dollar, USD1 will function as the primary trading pair for all tokenized assets on the platform. Witkoff described the stablecoin as "the most trustworthy and the most transparent" available on the market.
Partnership with Aptos
To expand the reach of its stablecoin, World Liberty Financial has formed a partnership with the Aptos blockchain platform. This collaboration is intended to integrate the USD1 stablecoin into the Aptos network, increasing its utility and accessibility within the broader DeFi space.
Financial Gains and Political Controversy
Since its inception, World Liberty Financial has generated significant revenue for its founders. According to calculations by Reuters, which are based on company terms, data from crypto analysis firms, and public deal announcements, the Trump family has earned an estimated $500 million from the project.
The company's financial activities have attracted political attention. In May, a deal was announced in which MGX, an Abu Dhabi state-backed firm, planned to invest $2 billion worth of the USD1 stablecoin into the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. This transaction prompted a response from U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jeff Merkley.
The lawmakers characterized the deal as a potential conflict of interest, expressing concern that it could create a channel for the Trump and Witkoff families to profit from foreign government dealings, particularly while President Donald Trump has been seen as easing regulations on the crypto industry.
Addressing the Criticisms
Donald Trump Jr. directly addressed these concerns during his appearance at the Token 2049 conference. He asserted that World Liberty Financial is not a political entity, stating it was "100% true" that the company operates independently of political agendas. He also remarked that his father was "the first guy to run as sort of a pro-crypto president."
Witkoff also reflected on the company's journey, noting the initial skepticism it faced. He recalled that at the previous year's conference, some industry leaders had dismissed World Liberty as "a joke" or "a memecoin." He positioned the company's recent progress and partnerships as a validation of its business model and long-term vision.
