Story perspectives

OCC Approves World Liberty Trust Stablecoin Charter

8/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

The OCC approved World Liberty Trust’s national trust bank charter on August 14, 2026.
World Liberty Financial, 38 % owned by an entity linked to President Donald Trump, will issue and custody a USD1 stablecoin.
The charter allows USD1 issuance, bans deposit-taking or lending, and mandates $20 million tier-1 capital, half liquid, plus an audit manager.
Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren called the approval “the brazen act of self-dealing” and urged legislation.

History

Historical Context

Stablecoins began in July 2014 when Brock Pierce, Reeve Collins and Craig Sellars launched Realcoin, later rebranded as Tether (USDT). By 2025 USDT held roughly $170 billion in circulation, representing about two-thirds of stablecoin value, and attracted regulatory actions such as the CFTC’s $41 million fine in 2021 and a New York Attorney General investigation in 2019. Regulators continue to scrutinize stablecoins, echoing earlier oversight concerns.

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Story summary

The OCC approved World Liberty Trust’s national trust bank charter on August 14, 2026.
World Liberty Financial, 38 % owned by an entity linked to President Donald Trump, will issue and custody a USD1 stablecoin.
The charter allows USD1 issuance, bans deposit-taking or lending, and mandates $20 million tier-1 capital, half liquid, plus an audit manager.
Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren called the approval “the brazen act of self-dealing” and urged legislation.

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