UAE's 'Spy Sheikh' Acquires Major Stake in Trump's Crypto Venture
By John Nada·Feb 1, 2026·2 min read
UAE's Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought a $500 million stake in Trump's crypto venture, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and national security implications.
In a striking development, UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan purchased a significant stake in the Trump family's cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial. According to CNBC Business, the deal, valued at $500 million, grants Sheikh Tahnoon’s company, Aryam Investment, a 49% stake, making it the largest shareholder and the only known investor aside from the founders. This acquisition coincided with the Trump administration's approval of advanced AI chip sales to the UAE, raising eyebrows about potential conflicts of interest.
World Liberty Financial is behind the stablecoin USD1, which is pegged to the U.S. dollar and supported by U.S. government treasuries and cash equivalents. The company counts Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff as co-founders emeritus and is managed by family members from both the Trump and Witkoff clans. The agreement reportedly funneled approximately $187 million to Trump family entities and $31 million to those connected to Witkoff.
This deal was signed just before Eric Trump’s father was inaugurated for a second term, amid Sheikh Tahnoon’s push for access to advanced AI technology, which the Biden administration had previously restricted due to national security concerns regarding their potential use in China. The U.S. later authorized the UAE to procure hundreds of thousands of AI chips from Nvidia, with a portion designated for Sheikh Tahnoon’s AI company, G42.
The Wall Street Journal's report has ignited scrutiny of the Trump administration's ties to the UAE. Some congressional members, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have labeled the transaction as straightforward corruption, demanding testimonies from key figures involved in the deal. Warren's comments reflect a broader concern regarding the intertwining of foreign investments and U.S. national security interests. The White House has denied any conflicts of interest, emphasizing that Witkoff's role is to further President Trump's global peace initiatives.
In the backdrop of this unfolding narrative, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Trump, suggesting similar accusations could be levied against the Biden administration for their international dealings. He dismissed the notion of corruption as unfounded and emphasized transparency in Trump’s business operations.
This scenario underscores the complexities of intertwining business interests with political power, particularly in the realm of cryptocurrency and AI technology. As the debate intensifies, it raises critical questions about how such deals could influence both market dynamics and national security.