The Deal
A United Arab Emirates investment vehicle has quietly purchased a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial (WLFI), the crypto project founded by the Trump family. The Wall Street Journal investigation revealed the $500 million agreement was signed by Eric Trump on January 16, 2025, just four days before Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
The acquisition was executed by Aryam Investment, a firm controlled by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security adviser and a brother of the country’s president. Sheikh Tahnoon, often referred to as the “Spy Sheikh,” oversees a $1.3 trillion empire and controls G42, an AI conglomerate.
Follow the Money
Terms of the deal included a $250 million upfront payment. Corporate documents cited by the Journal indicate the cash was distributed immediately:
- $187 million flowed to entities controlled by the Trump family (DT Marks DEFI LLC).
- $31 million went to entities linked to Steve Witkoff, a Trump ally and Special Envoy to the Middle East.
- $31 million was allocated to co-founders Zak Folkman and Chase Herro.
The remaining $250 million is scheduled for payment by July 2025.
Market Reaction & Context
WLFI token holders reacted negatively to the dilution of control. The token slid approximately 18% following the report, trading near $0.12 as liquidity tightened. The deal grants Aryam Investment two seats on the five-member board, effectively handing nearly half the governance power to a foreign state-linked entity.
We entered this transaction because we believe it is in the best interest of the company’s continued growth. David Wachsman, World Liberty Financial Spokesperson
The timing raises questions regarding U.S. foreign policy. Months after the deal was inked, the Trump administration lifted restrictions on the export of advanced U.S. AI chips to the UAE, technology Sheikh Tahnoon’s G42 had previously been denied access to under the Biden administration due to concerns over ties to China.
