Trump Company Crypto to Be Used to Pay White House UFC Fighters

The UFC recently revealed that select athletes competing at the White House mixed martial arts showcase will receive performance bonuses in a crypto created by World Liberty Financial (WLF), a company linked to President Donald Trump’s family.

The announcement further intertwines the president’s business interests with a major sporting event being staged on federal grounds. The fight card took place on Sunday, June 14, on the South Lawn of the White House.

According to the UFC, bonus payments will be distributed using USD1, a stablecoin developed by WLF.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle dismissed concerns about possible conflicts of interest. He stated that Trump’s holdings are managed through a trust overseen by his children and accused critics of attempting to manufacture ethical controversies.

The crypto company has also been named an official sponsor of UFC Freedom 250. Despite the similarity in names, the UFC event is not affiliated with Freedom 250, a separate initiative focused on commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Established in Delaware in 2024, WLF was launched by Donald Trump, his sons, and the Steve Witkoff family. Since then, it has become one of the most prominent businesses connected to the president’s relatives. Trump was previously identified by the company as its “Chief Crypto Advocate,” and financial disclosure records indicate he holds an interest in the venture valued at more than $50 million.

Recent reporting has suggested that crypto projects tied to the Trump family have generated substantial paper wealth, with WLF emerging as a key contributor to those gains.

The company announced the creation of a special bonus fund for the event and highlighted comments from chief executive Zach Witkoff, who described digital assets as an important part of the future financial landscape. He also praised the UFC for its role in modernizing the sports business.

WLF has faced scrutiny over its governance token, which became the subject of legal disputes involving crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun. Both sides have filed lawsuits stemming from disagreements over token management and public statements.

USD1 functions as a tradable stablecoin backed by dollar reserves. The company has also sought regulatory approval through an application for a banking charter.

WLF’s involvement in the event became public on June 10. After the announcement, the UFC initially disclosed a separate crypto-based reward program using CRO tokens. Late Friday evening, however, the organization confirmed that a new $250,000 Performance of the Night bonus pool would be funded through USD1 payments.

According to Todd Phillips, a cryptocurrency specialist at Klaros Group, the move appears largely promotional. He argued that while the payments could be made through conventional means, highlighting USD1 publicly serves to raise the currency’s profile and strengthen its association with both the UFC and the White House.

The crypto industry and its leading actors like Canaan Inc. (NASDAQ: CAN) hope that the White House event helps to deepen awareness about digital assets without miring the industry in controversy.

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