Wall Street and government leaders to headline Mar-a-Lago crypto forum
By Cygnus | 17 Feb 2026
Summary
Top executives from Goldman Sachs, Nasdaq, and the NYSE are expected to appear alongside U.S. officials at a cryptocurrency forum at Mar-a-Lago, an event organized by Trump family-backed venture World Liberty Financial that has sparked debate among ethics experts.
PALM BEACH, FL, Feb. 17, 2026 — Business and policy leaders are set to gather at the Mar-a-Lago club on Wednesday for the “World Liberty Forum,” a conference focused on the future of digital finance and technology.
The event is organized by World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture associated with Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, which has launched digital-asset products including a token and a stablecoin.
A high-stakes speaker lineup
The event is expected to bring together prominent figures from both Wall Street and government:
- Financial leaders: David Solomon (Goldman Sachs CEO), Adena Friedman (Nasdaq CEO), Lynn Martin (NYSE President), and Jenny Johnson (Franklin Templeton CEO)
- Government officials: senior federal representatives including regulators and economic officials
- Hosts: Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, alongside business partners
The ethics debate: forum or conflict?
The participation of regulators and executives at an event tied to a private business connected to the president’s family has drawn scrutiny from ethics observers.
Critics say the setting raises questions about the intersection of public office and private interests, while some legal experts note that participation alone does not necessarily violate ethics rules.
A State Department spokesperson said engaging with industry leaders is part of officials’ responsibilities.
Why this matters
The forum underscores how cryptocurrency is increasingly part of mainstream financial and policy discussions. It also highlights ongoing debate in Washington over transparency and the boundaries between public roles and private ventures in the fast-evolving digital-asset sector.
FAQs
Q1: Is President Trump attending?
He is not scheduled to speak at the event.
Q2: Are speakers being paid?
Organizers said participants are not receiving speaking fees.
Q3: What is World Liberty Financial?
A crypto venture linked to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump focused on digital-asset initiatives.
Q4: How have companies responded?
Several firms declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries.
