Outpacing PayPal and Breaking into the Top Five in Half a Year: Trump's Stablecoin 'Game of Thrones'
In just over six months, the Trump-affiliated stablecoin USD1, issued by World Liberty Financial (WLFI), has surpassed PayPal’s PYUSD in market capitalization, reaching $4.9 billion and entering the top five stablecoins. Its rapid growth stems from a strategic alliance with Binance, which launched high-yield incentive programs like "USD1 Booster" to drive liquidity and user adoption through subsidized returns and platform-wide integrations.
USD1’s expansion extends beyond crypto markets. A memorandum with Pakistan’s central bank aims to integrate USD1 into cross-border payments, leveraging its low-cost efficiency for remittances. This move positions USD1 as a potential tool of "digital dollar hegemony," aligning with U.S. geopolitical interests.
The project is deeply intertwined with Trump family influence and political networks. Key figures, including WLFI co-founder Eric Trump and Zach Witkoff, son of the U.S. envoy to Pakistan, facilitate these partnerships. The Trump family receives 75% of net profits from USD1 operations, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.
Regulatory leniency under the Trump administration has benefited USD1 backers: the SEC dropped cases against Binance and others after significant investments in WLFI. However, USD1 faces risks due to opaque reserve management, delayed audits, and over-reliance on Binance for liquidity. Its stability is heavily tied to Trump’s political standing, making it vulnerable to future regulatory or political shifts.
marsbitYesterday 02:32