Warren Targets Trump-Linked Crypto Bank Bid

  • Warren urges regulators to block Trump-linked crypto bank, citing undisclosed foreign ownership and conflict concerns.

  • Lawmakers demand full disclosure of 10%+ WLF stakeholders as OCC reviews national trust bank charter.

  • Crypto oversight tensions rise as Warren warns regulators against approving Trump’s bank application.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren escalated scrutiny over President Donald Trump’s crypto venture on Thursday. She urged federal regulators in Washington to block World Liberty Financial’s bank charter. Warren argued that the Trump family-led firm threatens regulatory integrity and public trust.

During a Senate Banking Committee hearing, she pressed Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould for transparency. Moreover, she warned that approval could entangle regulators in what she called historic corruption.

Warren framed the dispute around World Liberty Financial’s application for a national trust bank charter. The company filed the request with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in January.

That charter would allow digital asset custody and stablecoin conversion services. However, it would not permit traditional deposit-taking activities. Consequently, the debate centers on disclosure standards and potential conflicts of interest.

Charter Fight Intensifies

Warren did not hold back. She declared, “President Trump’s crypto company is the most disgraceful presidential corruption scandal in HISTORY.” Additionally, she insisted that regulators disclose ownership details before any approval. “Anyone who owns 10% or more of World Liberty Financial must be disclosed or the bank application will be rejected.”

She reminded Gould that OCC rules require applicants to report shareholders with at least a 10% stake. Besides, those shareholders must file detailed biographical and financial reports.

Warren pointed to a reported 49% stake acquired by a United Arab Emirates entity before Trump’s inauguration. She asked whether the application disclosed that foreign ownership. Gould declined to discuss specifics but pledged to follow established procedures.

Disclosure and Oversight Pressure

Warren pushed further. She requested the unredacted charter application for review by her and Committee Chair Sen. Tim Scott. Gould responded cautiously. “The only thing to which I will commit is following our established procedures,” he said. Moreover, he referenced the OCC’s 131-page licensing manual.

Warren countered sharply. “I don’t know that anyone’s ever had to ask that before because I don’t think any president has ever had a pending bank application before,” she said. Consequently, the clash underscores mounting political tension over crypto regulation.

Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to Disclaimer.

Related Articles

Senate Schedules Review of Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, Stablecoin Yield Controversy Remains Unresolved

The Senate will initiate review of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, with discussions focusing on stablecoin yield controversies. Banks are concerned about potential deposit outflows, while crypto companies are wary of tightening regulations. The probability of the bill's passage has declined, with analysts warning that if review is not completed by April, it could impact the crypto market. Investors are closely monitoring policy changes and capital flows.

GateNews7m ago

South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service and Other Institutions Sign Joint Agreement to Combat Cryptocurrency Money Laundering and Illegal Overseas Withdrawals

South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service and other institutions signed an agreement on March 17 aimed at blocking phone scam and virtual asset crime funding chains by analyzing overseas credit card usage data and entry/exit records. The new mechanism will enable information sharing among various institutions and strengthen monitoring and response to abnormal transactions.

GateNews13m ago

DeFi Education Fund and Beba Withdraw SEC Airdrop Lawsuit, Crypto Regulatory Climate Shifts to More Lenient Stance

DeFi Education Fund and Beba have withdrawn their lawsuits against the SEC, reflecting that the SEC's cryptocurrency regulation is gradually becoming more relaxed under new leadership, particularly on airdrop policies. Industry insiders believe this will provide more legal certainty for DeFi projects, attract greater institutional participation, and will impact market sentiment and investment strategies in the crypto market.

GateNews14m ago

Polymarket's $1.5 Billion Betting Market Sparks Controversy: Israeli Journalist Faces Death Threats, Prediction Market Manipulation Risks Exposed

Polymarket platform sparked public controversy after an Israeli journalist reported on Iran's missile attacks. The journalist faced threats demanding modification of the report, raising concerns about market manipulation and information interference. This incident reveals structural risks inherent in prediction markets, underscores the urgent need to protect media independence, and highlights challenges regarding transparency and regulatory compliance.

GateNews35m ago

Is Betting Morally Corrupt? Polymarket Bettor Contacts Israeli Journalist: If You Don't Change the Article, We'll Kill You

A reporter covering Iran's missile attack on Israel received death threats from Polymarket bettors who aimed to force him to modify his reporting to influence betting outcomes. The incident has sparked discussions about the ethics of prediction markets, and the United States has proposed legislation to ban related bets. Police have opened an investigation into the threats.

CryptoCity1h ago

Argentina Moves to Restrict Polymarket, Calls It Illegal Gambling

Argentina has blocked access to the crypto prediction platform Polymarket after a court ruled it operates as unlicensed gambling, indicating heightened regulatory scrutiny of such services amid increasing digital asset adoption.

TodayqNews1h ago
Comment
0/400
No comments