Former President Donald Trump's ambitious plan to make the United States the "crypto capital of the planet" seems to have found a potential beneficiary within his own family. Trump's eldest sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., are reportedly preparing to launch a new cryptocurrency venture called World Liberty Financial. However, the project's close ties to the former president have raised eyebrows among government ethics watchdogs, who fear a potential conflict of interest if Trump were to return to the White House.

Ethics concerns have plagued the Trump family's business dealings since his first term, particularly due to his decision to retain ownership of his businesses, including his holdings in the crypto industry. The launch of World Liberty Financial could further complicate matters, as it aligns with Trump's promises of pro-crypto policies and amplifies suspicions of a potential conflict of interest.

While the specifics of Eric and Donald Jr.'s crypto venture remain undisclosed, it could greatly benefit from a hypothetical second Trump administration's favorable stance towards the industry. The overlap between promising crypto-friendly policies and engaging in a related business raises red flags for ethics experts, who argue that it undermines transparency and raises questions about undue influence.

Ishan Mehta, director for media and democracy at nonprofit organization Common Cause, remarked, "To promise crypto-friendly policies and have your family engage in the same business is, I think, conflict of interest 101." Experts emphasize that such conflicts can erode the public's trust in government and breed corruption.

The Trump family's involvement in the crypto industry is just one aspect of the ongoing ethical debates surrounding their business ventures. Questions have also arisen over Trump's stake in the parent company of the recently launched social media platform, Truth Social. As scrutiny intensifies, the lack of clarity surrounding the Trump sons' crypto startup, whether it would fall under the Trump Organization or operate as a separate entity, adds further complexity to the ethical concerns.

As the 2024 elections draw near, the timing of the Trump family's crypto venture raises additional concerns. Democrats have sought to portray the former president as corrupt, and Vice President Kamala Harris has likened him to fraudulent individuals she prosecuted while serving as a prosecutor in California. Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer, acknowledges the negative optics of the situation but states that it would not violate any ethics laws.

Trump's involvement in the digital asset industry does not end with the family's crypto venture. He has also ventured into the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) by selling digital images of himself as collectibles. The sale of NFTs has also sparked ethics concerns, as the promise of exclusive access to a gala dinner for buyers may potentially amount to undisclosed contributions, according to Jordan Libowitz of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Despite the ethical concerns raised, a Trump campaign spokesperson dismissed the watchdog groups as partisan, suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome." However, the numerous conflicts of interest identified during Trump's first term demonstrate the ongoing need for transparency and accountability in public office.

As the Trump family continues to explore the crypto industry, the potential for conflicts of interest will remain a contentious issue, particularly if Trump were to regain the White House. Critics argue that the simultaneous promise of policy changes and the design of the family's business ventures to exploit them raises significant ethical questions. In the run-up to the election, the public's perception of the Trump family's business dealings and the potential influence they could wield will undoubtedly play a role in shaping voter sentiment and calls for stricter ethical standards in governance.