The Trump family’s cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), drew significant attention this week as its token debuted at prices 5 to 15 times higher than those paid during the early sale. Despite short-term volatility and a drop from initial peaks, the opening day saw WLFI trading near 23 cents per token, after briefly surging to about 40 cents. Early investors who purchased the token at much lower prices found themselves with substantial gains once public trading began.

With the launch, the Trump family’s stake in WLFI was estimated at around $5 billion, based on public disclosures showing family members holding more than 22 billion tokens. However, these holdings are currently locked according to the company’s vesting schedule, meaning they cannot yet be sold—making this wealth largely “on paper” for now.

World Liberty Financial was founded last year, with the Trump family controlling a majority stake in the company. Initially headed by Donald Trump as “Chief Crypto Advocate,” the website now lists him as “Co-Founder Emeritus,” noting his removal from active leadership upon taking office.

The token’s public listing was approved by a community governance vote earlier this summer, and as trading opened, owners were permitted to sell up to 20% of their holdings. The volatility seen on launch aligns with broader trends in the crypto market, where large price swings are common in the early days of trading.

As WLFI captures headlines, questions have arisen about potential conflicts of interest, given Trump’s dual roles as a public official and major stakeholder in the enterprise. The White House has denied any ethical concerns and maintains that the family’s crypto activities are fully disclosed.

As World Liberty Financial continues to expand, offering products that bridge traditional finance and decentralized networks, the future for the WLFI token remains uncertain but closely watched by crypto investors, political analysts, and the financial world alike.