An Abu Dhabi royal purchased a major stake in the Trump family’s cryptocurrency company days before President Donald Trump’s inauguration, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who serves as the United Arab Emirates’ national security adviser, acquired 49% of World Liberty Financial through his investment vehicle Aryam Investment. Eric Trump signed the $500 million agreement on January 16, 2025, four days before his father took office.
The deal directed $187 million to Trump family entities in its first installment, according to the Journal’s report. An additional $31 million flowed to organizations connected to Steve Witkoff, who co-founded the venture and now serves as Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East.
World Liberty Financial operates a decentralized finance platform that offers a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. The company lists President Trump and Witkoff as co-founders emeritus.
The investment came as Tahnoon sought access to advanced American artificial intelligence technology. The Biden administration had previously blocked such access over concerns about technology transfers to China.
In May 2025, months after the crypto investment, the Trump administration approved the sale of 500,000 advanced AI chips annually to the UAE. The agreement allocates 20% of these chips to G42, Tahnoon’s artificial intelligence company.
Senator Elizabeth Warren called the arrangement “corruption, plain and simple” and demanded that administration officials testify before Congress about the deal.
“The Trump Administration must reverse its decision to sell sensitive AI chips to the United Arab Emirates,” Warren said in a statement reported by CNBC.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told the Journal that Trump’s assets remain in a trust managed by his children. “There are no conflicts of interest,” Kelly said.
David Wachsman, a spokesman for World Liberty Financial, told the Journal that Trump and Witkoff had no involvement in the investment deal and have not been involved in the company since taking office.
Tahnoon also chairs the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which manages approximately $1 trillion in assets. He holds the rank of deputy ruler in the emirate and is the brother of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The remaining $250 million of the investment was due by July 15, 2025, though the Journal could not determine how those funds were distributed.
Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
