Major Investment in Trump Family Crypto Venture
An investment firm with ties to the United Arab Emirates has acquired a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company associated with the Trump family. The deal, valued at $500 million, was reportedly signed by Eric Trump in January 2025, just four days prior to President Donald Trump's inauguration. This significant transaction was not publicly disclosed at the time.
Details of the Acquisition and Key Players
The investment was made by Aryam Investment 1, an Abu Dhabi-based entity backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Tahnoon serves as the UAE's national security adviser and is the brother of UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. He also manages one of the country's largest wealth funds. The $500 million investment saw half of the sum paid upfront, with approximately $187 million directed to Trump family entities, including DT Marks DEFI LLC and DT Marks SC LLC. An additional $31 million was allocated to entities affiliated with the family of Steve Witkoff, a co-founder of World Liberty Financial and later appointed U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East. Following the acquisition, two top lieutenants to Sheikh Tahnoon joined the board of World Liberty Financial.
Timing and Potential Conflicts of Interest
The timing of the investment, occurring just before President Trump's second inauguration, has drawn scrutiny and raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. Critics have highlighted that the deal took place months before the Trump administration approved a plan to grant the UAE access to advanced U.S. AI chips, a technology Sheikh Tahnoon had actively sought. His company, G42, is a prominent player in the artificial intelligence sector. Legal experts have suggested that the deal could potentially violate the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Official Responses and Company Operations
In response to concerns, a White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, stated that President Trump's assets are managed in a trust by his children, asserting that there are 'no conflicts of interest'. David Wachsman, a spokesperson for World Liberty Financial, confirmed the transaction and defended the company's decision, stating, 'We made the deal in question because we strongly believe that it was what was best for our company as we continue to grow.' Wachsman also explicitly denied any connection between the investment and the administration's actions regarding AI chips, emphasizing that the company operates as a private business without seeking special treatment. World Liberty Financial, which lists Donald Trump's three sons among its co-founders, also issues a stablecoin known as USD1. Another company associated with Sheikh Tahnoon, MGX, reportedly utilized $2 billion worth of this stablecoin in a separate investment.
5 Comments
Africa
So, foreign governments can essentially buy influence? This is a national security risk.
Coccinella
What's the fuss? It's a private company. They can take investment from wherever they want.
Muchacho
Smart business. They're allowed to make money like anyone else.
Habibi
The White House states assets are in a trust, which is a common practice for politicians. However, the sheer scale of the investment and the subsequent AI chip approvals make it difficult to dismiss public concerns about undue influence.
Comandante
While the company spokesperson denies any link to AI chip deals, the timeline presented in the article makes it challenging for the public to fully believe there was no connection or expectation of future favors.