Who Bought 49% of Trump-Linked Crypto Platform for $500M?

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Key Highlights

  • In an astonishing turn of events, a staggering 49% stake in the illustrious World Liberty Financial was snapped up for the princely sum of $500 million-just a mere wisp of time before the grand inauguration.
  • The ever-dutiful President Trump, with all the innocence of a newborn babe, proclaimed ignorance regarding this deal, declaring that his sons were the real masterminds behind the business machinations.
  • Enter stage left: an Abu Dhabi royal, replete with diplomatic and business ties to the good ol’ United States-a character seemingly plucked straight from the pages of a farcical play.

Our illustrious President Donald Trump has vehemently rebuffed any notion of involvement in a reported $500 million cryptocurrency escapade, insisting he was blissfully unaware of any such transaction while his sons gallivanted about managing the enterprise. “I don’t know about it,” he professed, as if discussing the weather. “I know that crypto is a big thing.”

During a press gathering in the Oval Office-a room not at all filled with the echoes of history-Trump assured the public that the family affairs were in the capable hands of his sons. “My family is handling it,” he declared, as if they were simply deciding on what toppings to put on a pizza rather than engaging in high-stakes financial dealings.

What the World Liberty Financial Deal is About

This intriguing deal revolves around World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a cryptocurrency platform curiously woven into the very fabric of the Trump family business saga. Reports whisper of emissaries dispatched by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, an esteemed member of the Abu Dhabi royal family, reaching an accord with Eric Trump to acquire a 49% share of WLFI for the eye-watering sum of $500 million-all finalized just four days shy of the grand presidential debut of Donald Trump.

As chronicled by the Wall Street Journal, this revelation leapt forth from the shadows of internal WLFI documents, bolstered by the furtive whispers of those in the know.

Breakdown of the $500 Million Investment

The grand investment was ingeniously structured in phases, commencing with a most impressive initial payment of $250 million. Of this amount, a neat $187 million found its way into the pockets of entities entwined with the Trump lineage. Moreover, at least $31 million was cleverly earmarked for ventures associated with Steve Witkoff, a co-founder of World Liberty Financial who, amusingly enough, holds the title of US special envoy to the Middle East.

Another $31 million was graciously allocated to an undertaking linked to the platform’s other co-founders, Zak Folkman and Chase Herro. It appears funds were flowing like water at a summer picnic!

All of this financial wizardry was facilitated through Aryam Investment 1, a company under the benevolent backing of Sheikh Tahnoon, poised to become World Liberty Financial’s largest shareholder should the full transaction come to fruition.

Why the Deal Has Drawn Wider Attention

This transaction has garnered considerable attention not solely due to its staggering size but also owing to Sheikh Tahnoon’s extensive network of diplomatic and business entanglements with the United States. The good Sheikh, a veritable titan of industry, chairs Group 42 Holding Ltd. (G42), an artificial intelligence firm based in Abu Dhabi.

In a delightful twist of fate, G42 received a nod from the US Department of Commerce to procure advanced AI chips from major American firms, following what one can only assume were lively discussions with US officials at the White House. A delightful mix of diplomacy, technology approvals, and a hefty investment in a Trump-associated crypto venture-what could possibly go wrong?

Political and Regulatory Response

The news of this deal has set tongues wagging in the hallowed halls of Congress. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, displaying a keen sense of urgency, urged banking regulators to delay scrutiny of World Liberty Financial’s application for a bank charter until President Trump disentangled himself from this web of interest. However, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) dismissed her request faster than you can say “conflict of interest,” asserting that personal ties would not interfere with their rigorous review process.

Company Pushes Back on Claims

In a spirited defense, World Liberty Financial has maintained that President Trump had no hand in the transaction post-inauguration. Company spokesman David Wachsman, perhaps channeling the spirit of a beleaguered hero, asserted, “Neither President Trump nor Steve Witkoff had any involvement whatsoever in this transaction.” Truly, a dramatic declaration worthy of a theatrical performance!

He further defended the company’s fundraising approach, exclaiming, “The idea that a privately-held American company should be held to some unique standard is both ridiculous and un-American.” One can practically hear the audience gasping in disbelief!

What Comes Next

While no investigation has yet been announced-much to the chagrin of those eagerly awaiting a scandal-the sheer scale of this investment, its timing just before the Trump inauguration, and the involvement of a foreign royal have ensured that this tale remains firmly in the spotlight. As the curtain falls, Trump continues to distance himself from the deal, while the company insists on its independent operations, leaving us with an entertaining mix of politics, crypto, and global finance that is sure to leave the audience clamoring for more.

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2026-02-03 10:51