Trump-Linked Crypto Firm ALT5 Sigma Announces $1.5 Billion Digital Coin Deal
By David Yaffe-Bellany | The New York Times | August 11, 2025
World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency startup established by the Trump family last year, has revealed a major development involving a publicly traded technology company, ALT5 Sigma, which plans to buy substantial quantities of World Liberty’s flagship digital coin, $WLFI.
ALT5 Sigma to Raise $1.5 Billion to Acquire $WLFI
ALT5 Sigma, a relatively small tech firm based in Las Vegas, announced on Monday that it aims to raise $1.5 billion by selling new shares of its stock. The funds will be used to purchase $WLFI coins, the cryptocurrency created and issued by World Liberty Financial, a company controlled by former President Donald Trump and his family.
As part of the arrangement, World Liberty Financial will acquire shares in ALT5 Sigma in exchange for $750 million worth of $WLFI coins, according to securities filings related to the transaction. In addition, Eric Trump, the president’s middle son, will join ALT5’s board of directors. Zach Witkoff, a founder of World Liberty and the son of President Trump’s Middle East adviser, will serve as chairman of ALT5’s board.
Mr. Witkoff described the deal as “another historic milestone” in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
Expansion of Trump Family’s Cryptocurrency Ventures
This latest deal expands the Trump family’s growing presence in the cryptocurrency sector, which has notably boosted their financial portfolio and stirred concerns about conflicts of interest. World Liberty Financial, launched in September 2024 with a live broadcast from Mar-a-Lago, quickly began selling $WLFI coins worldwide. The company reportedly raised $550 million in investments, reserving a significant portion for family members.
The Trumps’ engagement with crypto extends beyond $WLFI. The family launched a “memecoin” called $TRUMP, which generated hundreds of millions of dollars. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are also involved in American Bitcoin, a separate Bitcoin mining enterprise.
Concurrently, President Trump has pursued policies favorable to the cryptocurrency industry. His administration ended a period of stringent regulatory oversight on crypto companies, established a federal Bitcoin reserve, and signed legislation strongly supported by the crypto sector.
About ALT5 Sigma
ALT5 Sigma is not a major player in the crypto market but offers “next-generation blockchain-powered technologies” related to trading, payments, and other services. Alongside its blockchain operations, ALT5 maintains a biotechnology division. According to recent filings, ALT5 serves roughly 1,900 corporate clients and generated between $11.5 million and $12.5 million in revenue during the first half of 2025. Despite its modest scale, ALT5’s partnership with World Liberty aligns with a broader trend in the crypto industry where public companies acquire significant digital currency holdings. Such moves allow investors to gain indirect exposure to cryptocurrencies without needing specialized wallets or exchange accounts.
Context: Public Firms and Crypto Investments
This trend gained momentum following the example set by MicroStrategy—a public technology company rebranded as Strategy—that amassed billions in Bitcoin. Strategy owns Bitcoin valued at over $75 billion and enjoys a market capitalization exceeding $115 billion as of early trading on Monday. This phenomenon, often referred to by analysts as an “infinite money glitch,” has inspired other companies to increase their cryptocurrency investments across different coin types.
Responses and Outlook
Representatives for ALT5 Sigma did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for World Liberty declined to comment on the announcement.
As the fusion of public equity and crypto assets continues to evolve, the involvement of high-profile figures like the Trump family adds a layer of complexity to the industry’s growth dynamics, regulatory scrutiny, and political implications.
David Yaffe-Bellany reports on the crypto industry from New York. Contact: [email protected]