Reports say a wealthy Abu Dhabi investor bought a near-half stake in a crypto company tied to the Trump family. The transaction, reported to be worth about $500 million, involved an entity linked to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It has prompted questions in Washington and stirred activity in the markets where the company’s token trades.
Sheikh-Linked Buyer
According to major outlets, Aryam Investment 1 — an investor connected to Sheikh Tahnoon — agreed to purchase roughly 49% of World Liberty Financial, known as WLFI. The payment was structured in phases, with about $250 million reported as an initial transfer. Reports say roughly $187 million moved to entities associated with the Trump family, while another $31 million reportedly went to companies tied to cofounders.
A social post circulating in reaction to the news quoted President Trump saying he did not know about the Abu Dhabi investment and attributing business handling to his sons.
Timing and Deal Details
The timing of the sale matters: it was completed shortly before an important political milestone for the buyer’s partner, which has sharpened scrutiny. Some lawmakers and ethics experts raised alarms about a high-value foreign-backed investment in a business tied to a sitting U.S. president. Others note private business dealings are common and that legal disclosure thresholds can be complex. Market participants reacted quickly; trading in WLFI-linked assets saw spikes in volume and price swings as news spread.
[Chart: WLFI is currently trading at $0.13. Chart: TradingView]
Trump Responds
When pressed by reporters about the report, President Trump denied having knowledge of the transaction. “I don’t know about it,” he said, adding that his sons handle many family business matters. He insisted the family manages WLFI and that he was not personally involved in negotiating the sale. Some aides later said operational decisions were handled by company executives and family members.
Reactions From Lawmakers and Regulators
Reports say lawmakers from both parties want answers. Several senators have requested briefings and documents, and regulators have been asked to examine whether any disclosure rules were followed. Legal experts caution that an investment by a foreign-backed firm is not automatically illegal or disqualifying; what matters are the exact terms, who signed which papers, and whether statutory reporting obligations were met.
Featured image from Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images, chart from TradingView
