- The settlement was signed in January 2025, simply 4 days earlier than the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second time period.
- The client, Ayam Funding 1 (related to Sheikh Tahnoun), paid $250 million upfront.
- Sheikh Tahnoun is the UAE’s Nationwide Safety Adviser and the brother of the UAE President.
World Liberty Monetary (WLF), a cryptocurrency enterprise with ties to the Trump household, has bought a 49% stake to an funding fund backed by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for $500 million.
The settlement was signed in January 2025, simply 4 days earlier than the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second time period. The client, Ayam Funding 1 (related to Sheikh Tahnoun), paid $250 million upfront. About $187 million went to companies owned by the Trump household, and greater than $31 million went to corporations owned by different founders, together with Steve Witkoff’s household.
The emir has reportedly lengthy sought entry to superior U.S.-made AI chips, which have been beforehand restricted attributable to nationwide safety issues. Months after the cryptocurrency funding was made, the Trump administration agreed to promote about 500,000 of those superior chips to the UAE yearly.
The settlement had not beforehand been made public, elevating questions on why the overseas cash was invested simply earlier than Trump took workplace.
Critics argue this may very well be an unprecedented case of a overseas official investing in a sitting president’s enterprise, making a battle of curiosity that would have an effect on the USA’ worldwide relations.
Following the information, some US lawmakers, together with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have known as the deal corrupt and known as for an investigation into whether or not chip gross sales have been tied to investments.
Representatives from World Liberty Monetary and the White Home have denied any connection between the funding and U.S. coverage, saying Trump’s property are held in belief and all insurance policies are decided solely by the nationwide curiosity.
Who’s “Spy Sheik”?
Sheikh Tahnoun is the UAE’s Nationwide Safety Adviser and the brother of the UAE President. He manages main investments by authorities and personal funds reminiscent of G42 and MGX.
Mr. Tahnoun has a status for intelligence connections and international dealings, main some media retailers and commentators to informally consult with him because the “spy chief.”
A number of the AI chips obtained within the aforementioned transaction went to Tahnoun’s firm G42, which has been within the highlight for its previous ties to Chinese language tech large Huawei, elevating additional questions.
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