Trump-Linked USD1 Stablecoin to Fund UFC Fighter Bonuses at White House Event

World Liberty Financial, the crypto company backed by members of the Trump family, has confirmed that fighters competing at the UFC Freedom 250 event will receive performance bonuses paid in USD1, the company’s US dollar-pegged stablecoin.

The event, held on the White House south lawn as part of celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary, will distribute up to $250,000 in fighter bonuses through USD1. Crypto exchange Crypto.com also announced up to $1 million in additional bonuses paid in its CRO token.

The announcement helped draw attention to USD1, which recently traded above its $1 peg after spending much of the previous month below that level. Daily trading volume surged more than 93%, reaching approximately $2.38 billion.

Political Scrutiny Surrounds Trump Crypto Venture

World Liberty Financial has faced growing political scrutiny due to its ties to President Donald Trump and his family. Financial disclosures filed in January 2025 showed Trump’s stake in the company was valued at more than $50 million.

Critics argue that the company’s expanding role in high-profile events raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Jaelin O’Halloran, a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee, accused Trump of using the influence of the presidency to benefit his family financially.

However, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle rejected those claims, stating that Trump’s assets are held in a trust managed by his children and that no conflict of interest exists.

Business Growth and Legal Challenges

World Liberty has continued to expand its presence in the crypto industry. In 2025, a UAE-based company announced plans to use USD1 to settle a $2 billion investment in Binance. The company has also applied for a national trust charter with the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

At the same time, World Liberty remains involved in a legal dispute with Tron founder Justin Sun. Sun filed a lawsuit alleging the company froze his tokens without proper justification, while World Liberty later responded with a countersuit. Despite the dispute, Sun has continued to publicly support Trump’s cryptocurrency policies.