From grassroots stablecoins to the official forces, what does WLFI's OCC application signify

The cryptocurrency industry is once again迎来 a regulatory breakthrough. According to the latest news, World Liberty Financial (WLFI) subsidiary World Liberty Trust has submitted a de novo application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on January 7th, seeking to obtain a national trust bank license in the United States. This is not only an important step in WLFI’s compliance journey but also reflects the stablecoin issuer’s persistent pursuit of a formal banking identity.

Core Content of the Application

The key point of this application lies in the “national trust bank license” status. Once obtained, World Liberty Trust will be authorized to directly issue and custody its USD1 stablecoin, a US dollar-backed stablecoin, and gradually expand into crypto asset custody and stablecoin exchange services, primarily serving institutional clients.

In other words, USD1 will no longer be just a privately issued stablecoin but is expected to become a crypto asset issued by a regulated financial institution. The significance of this transformation goes far beyond the surface.

Why This Application Is Critical

Crossing the Compliance Threshold

The national trust bank license issued by the OCC is one of the highest recognitions in the financial sector. Currently, only a few projects in the US stablecoin market hold similar formal status. Obtaining this license means USD1 will gain legal status under the federal regulatory framework, which is crucial for acceptance by institutional investors and traditional financial institutions.

A Gateway to Institutional Markets

According to the latest data, since its launch in April 2025, USD1’s 24-hour trading volume has grown from an initial $100-150 million to $600-900 million, a 50- to 100-fold increase in nine months. This growth rate itself demonstrates market recognition of USD1. However, if granted a national license, institutional participation could further increase, and trading volume could see even greater growth.

The Foundation of Ecosystem Layout

According to information, WLFI’s ecosystem project Liberty is advancing multi-asset on-chainization around USD1, covering real-world assets (RWA) such as stocks, funds, bonds, and commodities. If USD1 obtains a national license, it will provide a more solid infrastructure foundation for the entire RWA ecosystem.

Market Immediate Reaction

Following the announcement of the application, WLFI’s token immediately rose by 3.03%, reflecting a positive market response. This reaction is rational—obtaining formal financial status is a significant positive for any crypto project.

Issues to Watch

Uncertainty of Approval

Although the application has been submitted, the OCC’s approval process may take several months or longer. During this period, regulatory feedback, additional documentation requests, and other issues may arise. The process will not be smooth sailing.

Changes in Policy Environment

Regulatory policies on crypto assets in the US are still evolving. While the current environment is relatively friendly, the possibility of future policy shifts must also be considered.

Summary

WLFI’s application to the OCC for a national trust bank license essentially breaks the “civilian” status of stablecoins and moves towards a formal banking identity. This move has a demonstration effect for the entire crypto industry—it proves that obtaining a financial identity through compliance pathways is possible and opens new avenues for other projects.

If the application is ultimately approved, USD1 is expected to become one of the few formal stablecoins in the crypto market, significantly enhancing its institutional recognition. Even if the approval process takes time, the process itself sends a firm message of WLFI’s commitment to compliant development. For investors, the key is to continue monitoring the OCC approval progress.