Bithumb Partners with WLFI, Trump-Backed USD1 Expands in Korea

Bithumb Partners with WLFI Could Transform Stablecoin Adoption in Asia

Why would one of South Korea’s top exchanges team up with the Trump family-backed crypto project? 

That’s exactly what Bithumb did this week when it signed a major memorandum of understanding (MOU) with World Liberty Financial (WLFI). 

This move, known as Bithumb Partners with WLFI, highlights the increasing role of stablecoins in shaping global finance.

Source: X (formerly Twitter) 

The alliance is at a time when stablecoins are gaining popularity. WLFI, owned by the Trump family, issues USD1, a dollar-backed stablecoin that has already gained a $3 billion market capitalization after only six months.

The deal, announced on September 22, aims to grow new businesses and strengthen investor confidence worldwide. 

Earlier this month, USD1 was traded on both Bithumb and Upbit, creating a solid presence in the Korean market.

WLFI Targets South Korea as a Growth Hub

The organisation believes South Korea offers a perfect setting for stablecoin expansion. 

At the Eastpoint Seoul 2025 conference, Jack Forkman, co-founder and COO of World liberty financial, highlighted that the country’s advanced gaming industry and strong digital culture make it an “optimal place for stablecoin payment experiments.”

By choosing South Korea, Bithumb Partners with WLFI shows that both companies see long-term opportunities in payment systems, online transactions, and digital rewards. 

Forkman said World liberty financial is exploring collaborations not only with exchanges like this but also with gaming firms, payment providers, and digital platforms.

Bithumb Sees Global Opportunity

The CEO of Exchange Lee Jae-won called the collaboration with World liberty financial “an important milestone in enhancing exchange’s global competitiveness.” By joining forces, both companies want to attract global investors who see stablecoins as a secure and flexible option in today’s changing financial world.

This partnership, referred to as Bithumb Partners with WLFI, also strengthens it’s strategy of building a wider network of global partners. 

Being supported by the Trump family and having its rapidly growing stablecoin, the exchange believes that the collaboration will be of significant advantage to it in the competitive exchange space.

For example,  Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino revealed that companies like Toyota, BYD, and Yamaha are now accepting USDT payments in Bolivia. He described USDT as a “digital dollar” serving hundreds of millions of people.

Regulatory Challenges Still Remain

Whereas South Korea could prove to be rich soil for stablecoin expansion, Forkman conceded that varying rules between nations create challenges. 

South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong have very different regulations, creating a problem in treating the Asia-Pacific as a unified market.

Still, the Bithumb Partners with WLFI alliance is positioning itself to navigate these differences. 

Forkman stressed that South Korea’s open stance toward digital assets makes it the right place to launch new models, but broader success will depend on regional cooperation.

Looking Ahead

The partnership could reshape the way stablecoins are used in Asia. 

With USD1 already listed on major Korean exchanges and new business models up for debate, the partnership reflects how rapidly stablecoins are entering mainstream usage. 

By tapping into the gaming and digital economy of South Korea, Bithumb Partners with WLFI may be the first chapter of a new stage where stablecoins exist beyond trading and become the standard in everyday payments. 

This is the turning point for stablecoins in the finance world of Asia.