Just a day after surviving a second assassination attempt, former U.S. President Donald Trump officially launched his long-anticipated crypto project, World Liberty Financial. While much remains unclear about the initiative. Key details were revealed during a live interview with Rug Radio. The project aims to provide borrowing and lending services for cryptocurrencies on the Ethereum blockchain. Marking Trump’s entry into the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.
World Liberty Financial will function similarly to existing DeFi platforms, offering financial services without intermediaries like banks. However, the team behind the project, led by operations head Zak Folkman and strategy lead Chase Herro, promised a more user-friendly experience. Central to the platform will be its non-transferable governance token, World Liberty Financial (WLFI).
Fair Distribution and SEC Regulation
A standout feature of the World Liberty Financial project is its commitment to fair token distribution. According to Folkman, the WLFI token sale will be regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He emphasized that no pre-sales or venture capital buy-ins were allowed. Ensuring that the sale aligns with standard practices in the DeFi sector.
“There have been no pre-sales and no VC, early buy-ins. It is just like any other DeFi project you can expect to see that’s launching now with incredibly fair token distribution,” Folkman stated during the interview.
The WLFI token sale will see 62.66% of the total supply offered, with proceeds allocated to the project’s treasury reserve and to the founders, team, and service providers. Additionally, 17.33% of the supply will be set aside to encourage community participation in governance and other growth initiatives. The remaining 20% will go to the project’s team, advisors, and future hires. Affiliates of the Trump Organization, including the Witkoff Group run by Trump ally Steve Witkoff, will also benefit from this allocation.
Inaccurate Reports Corrected
Earlier reports had claimed that insiders would receive 70% of WLFI’s supply, raising eyebrows across the industry. However, a source close to the matter labeled these reports as “inaccurate.” viewed excerpts from what appears to be an updated version of the project’s white paper. Reflecting different token allocations than previously reported.
Another significant detail confirmed during the interview was the compliance of World Liberty Financial with U.S. regulatory standards. The WLFI token sale will be conducted under the SEC’s Regulation D, Rule 506(c). Allowing the token to be sold as an unregistered security to accredited investors. This status requires purchasers to meet specific income or net worth criteria. Ensuring that only financially sophisticated individuals can participate in the token sale.
KYC and Regulatory Challenges
World Liberty Financial’s decision to launch amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of DeFi raises questions. But the team assured that it will adopt rigorous know-your-customer (KYC) standards. Similar to those used by major U.S.-based crypto exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken. This approach aims to ensure compliance with regulations while offering transparency and protection for investors.
While the white paper emphasizes that WLFI is not intended to be deemed a security, the decision to offer it under an SEC exemption highlights the project’s attempt to navigate the complex regulatory landscape that currently surrounds the crypto and DeFi sectors.
Conclusion: A Bold Move in Uncertain Times
Donald Trump’s entry into the world of decentralized finance through World Liberty Financial marks a bold move during a time of profound regulatory uncertainty. With promises of fair token distribution, SEC regulation, and user-friendly DeFi services, the project aims to differentiate itself from existing platforms.
However, much about World Liberty Financial remains subject to change as the team works to finalize the finer details. With the launch of WLFI on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how the project unfolds and whether it can thrive in the ever-evolving crypto landscape.