UAE Firm Acquires 49% of Trump-Linked Crypto Startup for $500M
By John Nada·Feb 1, 2026·2 min read
A UAE-backed firm bought a 49% stake in Trump-linked World Liberty Financial for $500M, raising concerns over conflicts of interest and foreign ties.
A UAE-backed investment vehicle has secured a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency startup associated with Donald Trump, just ahead of his return to the White House. According to The Wall Street Journal, Aryam Investment 1, backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, finalized the deal in January 2025 for $500 million. Half of that amount—$187 million—was paid upfront to Trump family-controlled entities, with further millions directed to co-founders’ relatives, including those tied to US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The report revealed that the agreement, signed by Eric Trump, had not been publicly disclosed, although World Liberty later indicated a sharp decline in the Trump family's stake. Tahnoon’s ambitions have surged since Trump’s election, pushing the UAE to become a leader in artificial intelligence. Under the Biden administration, his attempts to obtain advanced US-made AI chips faced obstacles, but following Trump's election, those efforts gained traction.
Executives from G42, a firm linked to Tahnoon, took board seats at World Liberty, making Aryam the largest outside shareholder of the startup. Meanwhile, concerns have arisen over alleged ties between World Liberty’s token sales and sanctioned foreign actors. Democratic senators have called for investigations into claims that governance tokens were linked to North Korea and other sanctioned entities.
This deal raises critical questions about conflicts of interest, as proceeds from token sales predominantly benefit the Trump family. With ongoing scrutiny, the implications for both the crypto market and US foreign policy could be substantial.