2026-01-13 13:34:09

DeFi platforms are also starting to follow the mainstream route. WLFI has applied for an OCC national trust bank license and launched WLFI Markets, effectively dressing itself in the guise of a national financial institution. What is the logic behind this move? Simply put, it’s using regulatory compliance as a stepping stone, leveraging license premiums to boost market confidence.

Even more interesting is USD1, a dollar-pegged stablecoin. In less than a year since its launch, its circulation has exceeded $3.4 billion, with growth among similar stablecoins being truly outstanding. This shows how strong the market demand for compliant stablecoins is—once you can obtain national-level credit endorsement, investors’ acceptance comes much faster than expected.

Can this model be sustained long-term? That depends on whether regulatory attitudes will change. But one thing is certain: for DeFi to truly become mainstream, integration with the traditional financial system is no longer optional but a necessity.

WLFI-7,04%

USD10,02%

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

16 Likes

Reward
16
8
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

GateUser-ccc36bc5

· 12h ago

Licenses are just money, a direct money-printing machine. To put it simply, regulatory endorsement = liquidity injection. USD1's data is outrageous, are they about to be absorbed by the big boss? In the end, DeFi still has to kneel down, there's no way around it. Compliance, whoever gets it first, makes the money.

View OriginalReply0

TokenEconomist

· 23h ago

actually, the charter arbitrage play here is just traditional regulatory capture dressed up in defi drag... let me break this down: what wlfi's really doing is exploiting the perception gap between institutional legitimacy and actual operational risk. the usd1 adoption curve? classic network effects meets confidence premium, nothing revolutionary there.

Reply0

PrivacyMaximalist

· 01-13 14:04

The license premium game is basically just putting on sheep's clothing... As soon as the regulatory wind shifts, it's all over.

View OriginalReply0

InscriptionGriller

· 01-13 14:02

Wearing a proper military uniform and you want to cut leeks? Regulatory licenses are just a stepping stone today, but tomorrow they could become a death sentence. --- Talking about integration as a must-have option, isn't it just being forced onto the Liangshan? There's no choice but to rely on the big leg of traditional finance. --- The growth rate of USD1... Hey, 3.4 billion a year, how much capital is spinning behind it? This isn't just strong demand; it's just a new trick of hot potato. --- Does a compliant license = investor confidence pill? I think it's still the same old trick under the guise of compliance, just a different soup but the same old medicine. --- When regulatory attitude changes, these national-level endorsements can instantly turn into national-level traps. Who can say for sure?

View OriginalReply0

zkProofGremlin

· 01-13 14:00

The license premium game... to put it simply, it's like buying insurance, and investors fall for it --- A circulation of 3.4 billion surpassing in one year? Now that's real market demand, unlike some coins that hype themselves daily --- Compliance is the new narrative. By the way, can DeFi truly integrate with traditional finance? I'm a bit skeptical --- Rather than being a mandatory option, it's more like being forced onto the bandwagon... regulation can tighten at any time --- OCC license is indeed impressive, but can it operate long-term? It depends on how future regulations are handled --- The recent surge to USD1 is pretty intense; the market is really hungry for compliance labels --- DeFi is dressed up in formal attire, but essentially it's still the same... just a different coat of paint --- Is this what they call "embracing regulation"? I think it's more like "surrendering to regulation" --- How long can the license premium last... we'll know once the wind changes --- Stablecoins are booming just because of an extra piece of paper? Fine, these days, that's all people believe in

View OriginalReply0

ImpermanentLossFan

· 01-13 13:59

Licensing has really become a hot commodity. WLFI's move was quite clever, but ultimately it's still about using compliance to extract value. USD1's rapid rise can't be judged by circulating supply alone; we need to look at actual locked positions... DeFi popularization? Probably just being tamed by traditional finance. Once regulation shifts, everything can collapse in minutes. The gambler's mentality is hard to change. Still, as I always say, compliant businesses don't make huge profits, and businesses with huge profits are usually non-compliant. But I have to admit, the market eats this up. With backing, people will rush in. There's no other way.

View OriginalReply0

MevWhisperer

· 01-13 13:52

You're right, regulatory licenses are now the pass, whoever gets them eats the meat. A circulation of 3.4 billion USD is indeed frightening; these people have really tapped into the pulse. Compliance is more of an inevitability than a trap. How long the license premium can last is really hard to say; it mainly depends on policy trends. Investors just buy into this haha. DeFi has to cling to traditional financial giants; there's no third way. It seems this is the fate of crypto; in the end, it all becomes a compliance tool.

View OriginalReply0

Fren_Not_Food

· 01-13 13:41

Well... to put it simply, DeFi also has to wear a disguise. Just getting a license to scam investors? No... does it really work? USD1's growth rate is crazy, but I still don't believe this thing can stay stable long-term. Regulatory flip-flops are useless; these projects should know that. DeFi will eventually have to submit to traditional finance; it's been obvious for a long time. The gimmick of license premiums... I've seen too many projects do this to scam retail investors. Wait, isn't this centralized? Then what do you call DeFi? The demand for compliant stablecoins is strong, but the risks are also high... isn't anyone talking about this? Let's see how long WLFI can withstand; I bet it will eventually collapse.

View OriginalReply0