HomeWorldTrump family’s $5 billion crypto windfall and the dubious ties to Pakistan’s cash-strapped military | Explained
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Trump family’s $5 billion crypto windfall and the dubious ties to Pakistan’s cash-strapped military | Explained

The venture has signed a deal with Pakistan’s new crypto council at a time when Pakistan’s military is desperate for money. This mix of politics, private profit and global finance could have serious consequences.

September 04, 2025 / 14:11 IST
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US President Donald Trump (C), flanked by his sons Eric Trump (R) and Donald Trump Jr. (L) reacts after cutting the ribbon on the first tee to officially open the Trump International Golf Links course in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, north east Scotland on July 29, 2025. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)
US President Donald Trump (C), flanked by his sons Eric Trump (R) and Donald Trump Jr. (L) reacts after cutting the ribbon on the first tee to officially open the Trump International Golf Links course in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, north east Scotland on July 29, 2025. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

The Trump family has made a dramatic leap into the world of cryptocurrency. Their new project, World Liberty Financial (WLF), launched its own token, WLFI, on September 1 and on paper it instantly gave the family a fortune of more than five billion dollars. Donald Trump calls himself the “crypto president” and his sons, Eric and Donald Jr., along with his son-in-law Jared Kushner, control most of the company.

While this sudden wealth has drawn headlines, it has also raised questions about ethics and foreign ties. The venture has signed a deal with Pakistan’s new crypto council at a time when Pakistan’s military is desperate for money. This mix of politics, private profit and global finance could have serious consequences.

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Trump’s sudden crypto fortune

World Liberty Financial has presented itself as a bold new player in digital money. The company has created a dollar-linked stablecoin, promised a mobile app and raised hundreds of millions of dollars from investors. When WLFI tokens began trading, about one billion dollars’ worth changed hands in the first hour. The price briefly jumped to around 40 cents before falling closer to 20 cents. Because the Trump family holds more than 22 billion tokens, even a small increase in price produces billions in paper wealth.