President Donald Trump's cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial Inc., is drawing sharp criticism over a proposal to restrict trading of tokens held by early investors. The plan would keep certain tokens locked indefinitely, or at least until Trump leaves office, raising concerns about fairness and market manipulation.

The proposal has sparked debate about conflicts of interest, given Trump's role as both a founder and sitting president. Critics argue that such restrictions could artificially inflate token values while limiting liquidity for early backers, potentially creating an uneven playing field in the crypto market.

Industry observers warn that the move could undermine trust in Trump's crypto project and raise regulatory red flags. The controversy highlights the challenges of balancing political power with business ventures in the volatile cryptocurrency space, especially when involving a sitting president.