Former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a $57.4 million income from his cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial, according to a newly released financial disclosure filed with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE).
Massive Token Holdings via Promotion, Not Investment
As reported by Financial Times, Trump disclosed ownership of 15.75 billion governance tokens in World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform co-promoted by his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump.
Interestingly, Trump did not purchase these tokens. Instead, they were received as compensation for promotional efforts, raising questions about transparency and influence as the tokens are tied to a platform that offers crypto trading and lending services.
What the Ethics Disclosure Reveals
The 200-page document outlines Trump’s wide-ranging financial interests, with World Liberty Financial standing out as one of his largest revenue sources. It also lists holdings in CIC Digital LLC and CIC Ventures LLC, digital asset entities that reported minimal or no income.
The filing includes Trump’s personal certification affirming the accuracy of the information, which is now under review by the OGE.
Of note, David Huitema, former director of the Office of Government Ethics, was dismissed earlier this year, a move that has sparked criticism as Trump continues to profit from ventures with regulatory implications.
Democrats Raise Conflict-of-Interest Concerns
Trump’s deep involvement in crypto while simultaneously shaping financial policy has fueled ethics concerns across party lines. Lawmakers have flagged the potential for conflicts of interest, especially given that Trump remains an influential political figure and could hold office again.
- SEC Chair Paul Atkins, appointed under Trump, has dismissed several high-profile enforcement cases against crypto companies, creating a more permissive regulatory landscape.
- Rep. Jamie Raskin has launched a probe into a private dinner Trump hosted for major investors in his meme coin venture, raising questions about privileged access to policy discussions.
World Liberty Financial’s $1B Raise and Growing Reach
Since its launch last year, World Liberty Financial has sold 21 billion tokens, raising $1 billion through a public offering. Promotional materials claim it offers blockchain-based financial services, including lending, governance staking, and token trading.
Meanwhile, Trump Media & Technology Group—another Trump-linked entity—announced plans to raise $2.5 billion to implement a Bitcoin treasury strategy and launch a Bitcoin ETF, signaling broader ambitions in the crypto space.
What’s Next?
While Trump’s token windfall is legally reported, watchdogs argue that his dual role as political figure and crypto promoter blurs ethical lines. As crypto regulation continues to evolve, scrutiny over Trump’s financial entanglements is likely to intensify.
