World Liberty Financial is no longer positioning itself as just another stablecoin issuer. The Miami-based crypto company, which lists US President Donald Trump as co-founder emeritus, is now taking a broader step into decentralized finance by launching a peer-to-peer lending and borrowing venue called World Liberty Markets.
Rather than focusing on simple transfers or trading pairs, the new platform is built around capital usage. Users can put idle crypto to work by lending it out, or unlock liquidity by borrowing against their holdings. This marks a strategic shift for the company, signaling ambitions that extend well beyond payments.
Key Takeaways
World Liberty Financial is launching a lending and borrowing platform to expand the use of its USD1 stablecoin.
The move pushes USD1 beyond trading into active financial use within DeFi-style markets.
Plans include broader collateral options and consumer tools, signaling ambitions beyond a simple stablecoin project.
Turning USD1 into an active financial tool
At the center of the new platform is USD1, World Liberty’s dollar-pegged stablecoin. Since its debut last year, USD1 has expanded rapidly, reaching a market value of about $3.4 billion. Company executives see lending and borrowing as the next step in giving the token a reason to stay in wallets rather than just move through exchanges.
World Liberty Markets supports USD1 alongside the firm’s WLFI token, Ether, tokenized Bitcoin, and the two dominant stablecoins, USDT and USDC. By placing USD1 in the same environment as established DeFi assets, the company is betting that utility, not branding alone, will drive adoption.
Exchange ties and institutional exposure
USD1’s rise has been closely connected to its relationship with Binance, which played a role in developing the token and recently expanded its trading pairs. That connection has already pushed USD1 into large-scale transactions. Abu Dhabi-based investor MGX previously used the stablecoin to complete a $2 billion deal involving Binance, highlighting its growing role in institutional crypto flows.
These links have helped USD1 gain visibility in a market where trust, liquidity, and exchange support often matter more than novelty.
Real-world assets on the horizon
World Liberty’s roadmap does not stop at crypto-native collateral. Co-founder Zak Folkman has indicated that additional asset types will be added over time, potentially including tokenized real-world assets. While specifics remain undisclosed, the company has previously floated the idea of bringing real estate linked to the Trump family business onto the blockchain.
If implemented, that move would place World Liberty among a growing group of crypto firms experimenting with blending traditional assets and decentralized finance, a trend many see as key to the sector’s next growth phase.
Built on existing DeFi infrastructure
The lending and borrowing functionality is powered by Dolomite, an established DeFi platform known for its focus on efficient collateral usage. According to World Liberty’s leadership, using existing infrastructure allows the firm to focus on expanding use cases rather than reinventing core mechanics.
CEO Zach Witkoff said the platform is meant to make USD1 more than a static dollar proxy, giving holders ways to earn yield or access leverage without exiting the ecosystem.
From DeFi to everyday finance
Beyond crypto-native users, World Liberty is preparing tools aimed at a broader audience. A mobile app integrating the new lending and borrowing features is planned for later this year. Executives have also discussed a debit card concept that would allow users to spend USD1 directly while earning loyalty rewards.
In parallel, the company is pursuing a US bank charter for one of its entities. If approved, that step could significantly expand USD1’s reach, particularly among institutional players seeking regulated access to stablecoin-based products.
Taken together, the launch of World Liberty Markets suggests the firm is attempting to evolve from a politically connected crypto startup into a full-fledged financial platform, using stablecoins as the foundation rather than the end goal.
