Abu Dhabi Investor Buys $500M Stake in Trump-Linked Crypto Firm

According to reports, the investment was executed by Aryam Investment 1, an entity connected to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi. The firm agreed to purchase roughly 49% of World Liberty Financial (WLFI). The $500 million payment was structured in phases, with an initial transfer of approximately $250 million reported. Of this initial sum, a significant portion—about $187 million—reportedly moved to entities associated with the Trump family. Another $31 million was directed to companies tied to WLFI’s cofounders, outlining a clear financial pathway from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) investor to the Trump-linked business and its founders.

The transaction’s scale places it among the notable foreign investments in the cryptocurrency sector. The involvement of a high-profile Abu Dhabi investor underscores the continued intersection of traditional finance (tradfi) capital and digital asset ventures, even those with prominent political associations. The deal’s structure, with phased payments and specific allocations, indicates a detailed commercial agreement rather than a simple asset purchase.

The timing of the sale has sharpened its scrutiny, as it was completed shortly before an important, unspecified political milestone for the buyer’s partner. This context has led lawmakers from both major U.S. parties and ethics experts to raise alarms about a high-value, foreign-backed investment in a business tied to a sitting U.S. President. The core concern revolves around potential conflicts of interest and the adherence to legal disclosure thresholds, which experts note can be complex.

When questioned by journalists, President Donald Trump offered a brief but clear response: “I don’t know about it.” He added that his sons handle many family business matters, suggesting they manage WLFI and that he was not personally involved in negotiating the sale. This denial, disseminated via social media, was later reiterated by aides who stated operational decisions were handled by company executives and family members. The statement seeks to create distance between the President’s official role and the private business transaction.

Market participants reacted swiftly to the news. Trading in assets linked to WLFI saw immediate spikes in volume and significant price swings, highlighting the sensitivity of crypto markets to major capital inflows and associated headlines. The volatility reflects both the sheer size of the investment and the politically charged nature of the parties involved.

In Washington, the reaction has moved beyond market speculation into formal inquiry. Reports indicate a handful of U.S. senators have asked for briefings and documents related to the deal. Several regulators have also been asked to examine whether any mandatory disclosure rules were followed. Legal experts cited in reports caution that an investment by a foreign-backed firm is not automatically illegal; its permissibility hinges on the exact terms, signatories, and fulfillment of any statutory reporting obligations. The coming weeks may determine if this transaction remains a private business story or escalates into a significant political and regulatory event.