World Liberty Financial one step closer to obtaining a trust license in the US
The World Liberty Financial project, associated with the Trump family, is rapidly advancing towards obtaining regulatory status in the United States. Company co-founder Zach Witkoff confirmed that the application for a national trust bank license is in its final review stage. According to data from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), as of January 6, 2026, the structure World Liberty Trust Company, N.A. appears on the list of pending approvals.
If the regulator gives the green light, World Liberty Financial will gain the right to issue and redeem the USD1 stablecoin, manage its reserves, and provide custodial digital asset services for institutional clients. This fundamentally changes the project's status — transforming it from a decentralized initiative into a full-fledged financial organization under federal oversight.
Reserves Under Control: A Security Strategy
Special attention should be paid to the announced reserve management model. It is planned that the funds backing USD1 will be placed exclusively in highly liquid, low-risk assets: dollar deposits in banks, money market funds focused on U.S. government bonds, and cash equivalents. This approach essentially mirrors Circle's model with USDC, which should increase trust from conservative investors and regulators.
Obtaining a trust license in the U.S. is not just a formality but a strategic move that could elevate World Liberty Financial to the ranks of legitimate stablecoin market players. However, it is worth noting that the regulatory environment in the U.S. remains extremely volatile, and the OCC's final decision will depend on numerous factors, including the political context. In my professional opinion, if the license is approved, it will set a precedent for other DeFi projects seeking institutionalization, but it will also raise new questions about the decentralization and independence of such structures.