World Liberty Financial (WLFI), backed by the Trump family, unveiled its ambitious plan on October 1 at the Token2049 event in Singapore. The company aims to integrate real-world assets (RWAs) with the blockchain by tokenizing commodities such as oil, natural gas, cotton, and timber. WLFI intends to connect decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional markets through its USD1, a dollar-pegged stablecoin. According to reports, WLFI’s CEO, Zach Witkoff, emphasized that executing commodity transactions on the blockchain could enhance efficiency.
The Scope of WLFI’s RWA Strategy
The company’s roadmap focuses on dividing commodity-based instruments into tokens, thereby enabling access to a broader investor base and facilitating immediate settlement in secondary markets. Witkoff highlighted the potential of oil, gas, cotton, and timber as candidates within their asset basket. The implementation of a blockchain-based trade and settlement system could improve operational efficiency. Furthermore, the event saw the introduction of WLFI’s card solutions, which aim to integrate tokenization into commercial transactions with the USD1 stablecoin playing a crucial role as a unit of account.
The USD1 stablecoin is described as a dollar-pegged asset secured by U.S. Treasury bonds and cash-like securities. The design enables USD1 to operate across various networks, promising transparency in institutional payments and custodial processes. Initial launch details were revealed during the spring season.
Developments on the Regulatory Front
During the Singapore event, SEC member Hester Peirce expressed the agency’s enthusiasm for collaborating with parties interested in tokenization, calling for dialogue with the industry. Peirce’s statements were perceived as an indication of a softened stance from the U.S. regarding RWAs and blockchain-based securities.
Infrastructure advancements for tokenized securities in the U.S. market are progressing rapidly. Notably, Nasdaq has submitted formal requests for rule amendments to facilitate trading in tokenized securities. These proposed changes are documented within SEC filings, potentially allowing traditional and blockchain-based settlement alternatives to coexist.
