Trump-backed WLFI to Launch Apple Pay-Ready Debit Card and Retail App

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a crypto project backed by the Trump family, plans to launch a debit card and retail application that integrates with Apple Pay, according to co-founder Zak Folkman.

The debit card will let users connect their World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) stablecoin and WLFI app directly to Apple Pay, enabling everyday purchases through a familiar digital wallet. Folkman announced the plans during a fireside chat at Korea Blockchain Week 2025 in Seoul. While no launch date has been set, he confirmed the feature is “coming very soon.”

Alongside the card, WLFI is preparing a retail app that blends peer-to-peer payments with trading functions. Folkman described it as a hybrid platform, “like Venmo meets Robinhood,” combining Web2-style usability with Web3 financial tools.

Debit Card Features

The upcoming WLFI debit card is designed to support direct Apple Pay integration. Users will be able to link USD1, the project’s stablecoin, and conduct purchases using Apple’s digital wallet infrastructure.

Folkman stressed that this approach is aimed at bridging crypto with mainstream payment systems. The card will also serve as a companion product to the retail app, ensuring both spending and trading tools are accessible through the same ecosystem.

Retail App Vision

The retail app is expected to combine:

• Peer-to-peer payments similar to Venmo
• Trading features modeled after Robinhood
• Integration with USD1 for everyday use cases

By blending familiar Web2 features with crypto-native services, WLFI intends to give users one application for both simple transfers and investment options.

WLFI’s Chain-Agnostic Approach

Folkman reiterated that World Liberty Financial will not launch its own blockchain. Instead, the project maintains a chain-agnostic philosophy.

“We will never put out a World Liberty Financial chain,” Folkman said. “It’s literally the opposite of our entire mentality when it comes to a stablecoin.”

He emphasized that WLFI’s mission is to build tools that work across multiple chains rather than competing with them. By avoiding the creation of a proprietary chain, WLFI aims to remain flexible and interoperable across the broader crypto ecosystem.

Background on WLFI

World Liberty Financial launched in September 2024 as a decentralized finance (DeFi) and crypto project. It introduced two key tokens:

• WLFI – the platform’s native cryptocurrency
• USD1 – its stablecoin designed to operate as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain markets

WLFI’s launch attracted attention due to the Trump family’s involvement, with the trading debut of WLFI tokens briefly generating billions in paper wealth for the family.

However, the token has faced volatility. Since its official launch on September 1, WLFI’s price has fallen 35%. On Monday, it was trading at $0.197, down 9.5% in the past seven days, according to CoinMarketCap.

Product Strategy and Market View

Despite the market downturn, Folkman said the project remains focused on building long-term infrastructure and services.

“We’re not in this to run a sprint, this truly is a marathon,” he said. “World Liberty Financial is not thinking in terms of months or even years. We’re thinking in terms of decades and how we can build products that have staying power.”

He pointed to the ongoing development of WLFI’s debit card, retail app, and stablecoin as central to the company’s roadmap.

Partnerships and Regional Expansion

World Liberty Financial recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Bithumb, one of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. The two companies said they plan to collaborate on future business opportunities, though no details have been disclosed.

In addition, WLFI announced its support for the Winklevoss-led Digital Freedom Fund PAC, a political action committee backing Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency agenda. The fund aims to position the U.S. as a leading jurisdiction for digital asset innovation.

Comparing WLFI to Other Projects

WLFI’s approach mirrors broader developments in crypto payments and retail applications. Several companies, including Coinbase and Binance, have experimented with debit cards linked to crypto balances. However, WLFI emphasizes its chain-agnostic design and focus on stablecoin usability rather than exchange-linked products.

Key differences include:

• No proprietary chain – WLFI does not run its own blockchain.
• Stablecoin-first strategy – USD1 sits at the center of the payment model.
• Dual offering – The upcoming debit card and an app could complement each other.

Conclusion

World Liberty Financial’s plan to launch a debit card linked with Apple Pay and a retail application marks its next step in merging crypto assets with mainstream finance. The debit card will connect USD1 directly to Apple’s payment ecosystem, while the retail app combines peer-to-peer payments with trading functions.

By refusing to launch its own chain and maintaining a chain-agnostic philosophy, WLFI aims to focus on interoperability and user adoption rather than competing with existing blockchains. Despite market challenges with the WLFI token, the project is continuing to build products intended for long-term use.

Resources:

1. World Liberty Financial to launch debit card 'very soon,' co-founder Zak Folkman says - report by The Block: https://www.theblock.co/post/371766/world-liberty-financial-debit-card-very-soon

2. Official World Liberty Financial Website - https://worldlibertyfinancial.com/

3. Trump Organization Digital Assets Page https://www.trump.com/digital-assets/world-liberty-financial

4. Trump Family Backed World Liberty Financial Will Soon Launch Debit Card, Retail App - report by CoinDesk: https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/09/23/trump-family-backed-world-liberty-financial-will-soon-launch-debit-card-retail-app