Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Secret $500 Million Stake in Trump Family’s World Liberty Financial Crypto Venture
In this Article
- World Liberty Financial Overview
- Key Deal Details and Timeline
- Fund Distribution Breakdown
- Official Statements and Denials
- Broader Context and Implications
- Sheikh Tahnoon’s Background
Takeaways
- A powerful Abu Dhabi royal, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reportedly secured a 49% ownership in the Trump-associated crypto platform World Liberty Financial through a $500 million transaction.
- The agreement was finalized shortly before President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration, with initial funds partially allocated to family-linked entities.
- Company representatives emphasize no direct role by President Trump or key appointee Steve Witkoff post-inauguration, defending the deal as standard private business practice.
According to an exclusive Wall Street Journal investigation citing internal records and informed sources, representatives acting for Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan finalized an agreement with Eric Trump to acquire nearly half of World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency initiative tied to the Trump family.
The $500 million purchase granted the UAE-linked group a 49% equity position in the venture. The signing occurred just days prior to Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January 2025.
An upfront payment of $250 million was made, with reports indicating $187 million routed to entities controlled by Trump family members. Additional portions—around $31 million each—were directed toward organizations connected to Steve Witkoff’s family (a co-founder and current U.S. special envoy for the Middle East) and to affiliates of other co-founders Zak Folkman and Chase Herro.
The balance of $250 million was scheduled for payment by mid-July 2025, though specifics on its final allocation remain unclear.
In response to inquiries, World Liberty Financial spokesperson David Wachsman stated firmly that President Trump and Steve Witkoff maintained zero involvement in this specific arrangement or any company operations following their assumption of official government roles.
He described suggestions of special scrutiny on this private U.S. firm as unreasonable and contrary to American business norms, stressing the transaction served the company’s strategic goals.
A White House representative noted that the president’s holdings are placed in a trust overseen by his children. Sources close to the investment indicated the sheikh and select partners evaluated the opportunity over several months before proceeding.
Sheikh Tahnoon’s Profile
Sheikh Tahnoon serves as the UAE’s national security adviser, holds a deputy ruler position in Abu Dhabi, and oversees the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, a sovereign fund exceeding $1 trillion in assets. Known in some circles as the “Spy Sheikh” for his intelligence oversight, he wields significant influence across global finance, technology, and security sectors.
The investment has sparked discussions about potential overlaps between international diplomacy and private enterprise, particularly given subsequent U.S. decisions allowing UAE access to advanced AI semiconductors. However, company officials categorically reject any linkage between the equity purchase and policy outcomes.
World Liberty Financial, which promotes decentralized finance solutions and has introduced governance tokens like WLFI, continues operations under leadership from Trump and Witkoff family members in advisory capacities.
This development highlights the intersection of cryptocurrency innovation, high-level geopolitics, and family business interests in the evolving digital asset landscape.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.