A US-linked crypto startup received a major injection of foreign capital this week, raising questions in Washington about money, access, and transparency.
Reports say that a UAE-backed investor paid about $500 million for almost half of the company, a deal that was not widely known at the time of closing.
UAE Money Flows Into Trump-Linked Crypto Company
According to multiple reports, Aryam Investment 1 agreed to buy a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial for $500 million. Part of that amount – about $187 million – was paid in advance to organizations connected to US President Donald Trump and other founders.
Executives tied to a major technology group in Abu Dhabi were named to the company’s board after the purchase, giving the new backers a direct influence on management.
The transfer was signed in January 2025, a few days before a major political change in the US, and immediately attracted attention because of who the company is connected to.
Trump and Crypto: UAE’s High-Level Commitments
Reports note that the investment can be traced to figures close to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a powerful Abu Dhabi official whose interests include technology and national security.
That connection is sharp on observation. Lawmakers and watchdogs say the issues raise serious questions about outside influence when an organization tied to a sitting US president is involved.
Some of the transactions and token purchases connected to the project were disclosed later than critics would have liked, prompting calls for more transparency and prompt public notification.
Questions of Politics and Governance
The agreement is also connected to the previous steps of the finance linked by the UAE to buy project tokens and promote a stablecoin tied to the company’s ecosystem.
Reports say that those earlier investments helped build momentum for the platform, and that a separate, larger investment linked to the stablecoin involved Binance and other partners.
Critics argue that a large foreign stake in a crypto company with presidential ties creates both optics and policy concerns, especially as Congress debates stricter regulations on stablecoins and foreign investment.
Some members of Congress have asked regulators to examine whether disclosure or foreign influence laws were waived.
Mixed Reactions
Investors responded with mixed signals. Others welcomed the increased funding and new board information. Some worry that questions about ownership and governance could undermine confidence in tokens and related products.
Important details about the buyer’s full ownership structure remain unclear in public filings. Reports say that transparency gaps are key to why watchdog officials are requesting additional documents and briefings.
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