WLFI launch marred by price volatility and a public dispute over locked tokens

The World Liberty Financial (WLFI) token experienced sharp price swings and a public dispute shortly after trading began. The project, which has links to the Trump family, drew attention in early September 2025 when an advisor and large backer publicly said some tokens that should have been unlocked were not accessible. The situation raised questions about token governance, transparency and the role of prominent investors.

Dispute over locked tokens

Justin Sun, described as an advisor and a major token holder, said in early September 2025 that some of his tokens that should have been open were not unlocked, a claim that he made publicly on social media and accompanied with statements that he planned to buy more tokens to help stabilize the market. Reports indicate Sun invested about $75 million and his inability to access tokens fueled concerns about how token release schedules were being managed, prompting scrutiny from both supporters and critics of the project.

Market reaction and media attention

The dispute triggered rapid sell-offs and pronounced price volatility during the first days of trading, attracting coverage from finance media and the interest of lawmakers. Sharp drops in price and sudden liquidity movements amplified worries among retail holders and generated broader debate about market integrity when high-profile figures and political connections are involved.

Concerns about concentration and governance

The episode highlighted risks when a small group holds a large share of tokens and can influence token release mechanisms, since discretionary unlocking or blocking of tokens undermines users’ financial self-custody. Observers argued that projects aiming to be open financial systems need clear token unlock schedules and distributed decision-making to protect smaller investors and preserve trust in the protocol.

Political promotion, regulatory risk and lessons

The mix of political advertising and private funding around WLFI increased calls for transparency and could prompt more regulatory scrutiny, as critics warned that such combinations can erode market trust and lead to new rules. Similar projects should adopt clear rules to prevent disputes among supporters and founders, reduce concentration of control and provide predictable token distribution to protect the community.

The WLFI start underscores that credibility depends on both technology and transparent rules, and that projects promoting financial self-custody must limit dependence on a few decision-makers and provide clear, predictable token distribution to protect investors and keep the system open.