Donald Trump’s growing cryptocurrency empire is making waves again with two major announcements: a dollar-backed stablecoin called USD1 and a series of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to the crypto industry. These moves mark yet another unconventional stride by the former president to strengthen his presence in the digital asset world, even as he remains a polarizing political figure.

The stablecoin initiative comes from World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture launched last year with backing from Trump and his sons, along with Zach Witkoff and his father, Trump’s former special diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff. The firm is preparing to release USD1, a stablecoin designed to be pegged 1:1 with the U.S. dollar. The company claims USD1 is aimed at sovereign investors and major institutions, positioning it as a secure option for seamless, cross-border financial transactions.

Stablecoins have become a major segment in the crypto market, prized for their price stability and usability in everyday commerce. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, stablecoins offer a way for users to transact without sudden value fluctuations. This makes them attractive for global business dealings and digital financial infrastructure. According to co-founder Zach Witkoff, USD1 is built to cater to the growing demand for reliable, digital dollar alternatives.

This move coincides with increasing regulatory clarity around stablecoins, as Congress and the White House push for legislation to streamline operations for companies in this sector. If passed, such legislation could give World Liberty Financial and USD1 a significant edge in an increasingly crowded market.

Under the current arrangement, a Trump-owned company is entitled to receive 75% of net protocol revenues from World Liberty Financial—an indication of how deeply Trump has intertwined his business interests with crypto ventures. This relationship has stirred fresh controversy, with critics pointing to ethical gray areas given Trump’s position and public influence.

On a parallel front, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of Truth Social, announced a collaboration with Crypto.com to launch new crypto-focused ETFs. These funds, set to roll out later this year, will include baskets of cryptocurrencies as well as equities that focus on American-made sectors like energy. Though Trump holds no official decision-making role in TMTG, he owns a majority stake and remains its largest shareholder. News of the ETF plans triggered a spike in TMTG’s stock price, highlighting investor excitement.

These developments follow a series of increasingly public crypto endorsements by Trump. Just before taking office, he launched a meme coin bearing his name, which initially surged in value before fading. He has also lent his brand to a range of crypto-themed merchandise, including a $100,000 “Crypto President” watch and digital sneakers.

Once a skeptic of crypto, Trump has dramatically shifted his stance, pledging to make the U.S. the global hub for digital assets. This pivot is seen as a strategic response to the crypto industry’s growing political and financial clout, especially after it heavily supported his campaign.

Despite a voluntary ethics agreement restricting his day-to-day involvement in his companies, Trump has continued to promote his crypto ventures online. In one recent post on Truth Social, he expressed enthusiasm for his meme coin with a characteristically exuberant message: “I LOVE $TRUMP — SO COOL!!! The Greatest of them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” The post instantly triggered a price surge in the coin, showcasing the power of his influence in crypto circles.

As Trump’s crypto empire expands, so do the questions about the boundaries between business and politics. Whether his digital ambitions will yield financial success or stir further scrutiny remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Trump is betting big on crypto.