- Eric Trump signed a $500 million agreement to sell shares in the cryptocurrency startup World Liberty Financial.
- The investment was made by a fund associated with Sheikh Tahnoon from the UAE.
- The agreement included a transfer of $187 million to Trump family structures.
- Following the inauguration, the U.S. administration approved AI chip deliveries to the UAE.
Sheikh Tahnoon Acquires 49% Stake in World Liberty Financial
In a significant move within the cryptocurrency landscape, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan from the UAE acquired a substantial 49% stake in World Liberty Financial. This company is notably linked with former U.S. President Donald Trump. As reported by WSJ, referencing their sources, Eric Trump finalized an agreement on January 16, 2025, just days before his father’s inauguration. The deal involves a $500 million transaction facilitated through Aryam Investment 1, supported by Sheikh Tahnoon.
A Strategic Investment and Its Implications
Sheikh Tahnoon serves as the National Security Advisor of the UAE and is deeply integrated into Abu Dhabi’s financial fabric as the head of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. His business empire is valued at over $1.3 trillion. The investment required Aryam to advance $250 million upfront, with $187 million channelled into companies affiliated with the Trump family—DT Marks DEFI LLC and DT Marks SC LLC.
Additionally, other project partners received funds: $31 million went to entities associated with the Witkoff family, Zac Folkman, and Chase Gero.
The Role of Aryam Investment 1 and G42 Executives
The agreement was endorsed on Aryam’s behalf by Martin Edelman and Peng Xiao—senior executives from G42, another AI-focused enterprise owned by Sheikh Tahnoon that has previously partnered with Chinese organizations like Huawei. Both executives joined World Liberty’s board alongside Eric Trump.
According to insiders, Sheikh Tahnoon meticulously evaluated World Liberty Financial’s strategic plans for several months before proceeding with this major investment alongside various co-investors.
Coinciding Events and Broader Impact on Crypto Market
Notably coinciding with intensified lobbying efforts by Sheikh Tahnoon, he visited the White House in March 2025; shortly thereafter, an agreement was reached for up to 500,000 AI chips per year from the U.S. to be supplied to UAE—a fifth intended for G42.
In June 2025 reports emerged that a UAE-based fund would allocate another $100 million for purchasing tokens from World Liberty Financial.
Through these strategic investments and partnerships within burgeoning tech sectors like AI alongside cryptocurrencies—symbolized here through critical transactions—this series of events illuminates growing intersections between geopolitical influences & innovative financial technologies shaping tomorrow’s global economy landscape.
