UFC paid bonuses to fighters in cryptocurrency of the Trump family

The move directly ties the Trump family’s financial interests to the prestigious UFC competition that was promoted on state property. The event, called UFC Freedom 250, was held on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, Donald Trump’s eightieth birthday.

Trump Family Connection and Conflict of Interest

The UFC has confirmed that some fighters will receive bonuses in so-called “stablecoins” from the World Liberty Financial company, whose value is tied to the US dollar. The company named this cryptocurrency “USD1”. World Liberty Financial is a venture of the Trump family and the family of Steven Witkoff, Trump’s friend and special envoy for the Middle East. The company is now listed as an “official sponsor” of the event, and the use of their cryptocurrency for payouts is apparently serving as a push for its wider market acceptance. Because of this, numerous accusations of conflict of interest have appeared.

​- The constant attempts of fake news to invent conflicts of interest are irresponsible and only strengthen the public’s mistrust in what they cover – said White House spokesman Davis Ingle, adding that Trump’s assets are in a foundation managed by his children.

World Liberty Financial, a Delaware-based cryptocurrency firm co-founded in 2024 by Donald Trump and Steven Witkoff’s sons, has become one of the most prominent companies linked to the president’s family. Trump Sr. was at one point publicly listed as the company’s “chief cryptocurrency advocate.” His financial card states that his stake in the company is worth “more than $50 million.”

UFC Freedom 250 and controversial bonuses

World Liberty Financial provided a $250,000 bonus for “Performance of the Evening”. Two fighters, Justin Gaethje and Cyril Gane, received part of their bonuses in USD1 cryptocurrency. The total prize fund for bonuses at this event was a record 1.65 million dollars, to which a significant contribution was also made by the company Crypto.com, which secured a million dollars in its CRO token.

​- We believe this is the future of finance and we are excited about partnering with UFC, an organization that has done more than anyone else to modernize sports business – said Zach Witkoff, son of Steve Witkoff and CEO of World Liberty Financial.

The decision to use a Trump-related cryptocurrency at a White House event has drawn sharp criticism and raised ethical questions. A public interest organization, The Public Integrity Project, filed a lawsuit against the event, alleging misuse of national monuments for private gain. Democrats also expressed concern, calling the event an inappropriate use of the White House for political and commercial purposes.

Marketing move or the future of payment?

The role of World Liberty Financial in the event was revealed only recently. The company first announced on Wednesday that it was the official sponsor, but the UFC issued a statement late Friday night confirming that the WLF would be a partner for the payment of a bonus of $250,000 in cryptocurrency USD1. These financial interests of the Trump family connected to the UFC have become a major topic of discussion.

Todd Phillips, a cryptocurrency expert at Klaros Group, believes that this is just advertising.

​- Paying fighters in USD1 stablecoin has the same economic function as writing ček to them. But announcing to the world that you’re doing it in USD1 sounds like you’re advertising that USD1 exists and is connected to UFC and the White House – Phillips told the Guardian.

The company has been dogged by other controversies, including a lawsuit with crypto tycoon Justin Sun, who was one of the first buyers of their “management tokens”. Sun sued the company claiming they illegally froze its tokens, while World Liberty countered with a defamation lawsuit. USD1 stablecoins are separate from these tokens and are digital assets backed by dollar reserves.