#UAE linked firm acquires major stake in Trump backed crypto project

The Wall Street Journal reports that Abu Dhabi based Aryam Investment, linked to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, purchased a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial for $500M, finalized days before the Jan. 20, 2026 inauguration.

World Liberty Financial, a DeFi platform launched in 2024 by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, allocated $187M of the investment to Trump family entities while expanding its stablecoin and lending operations.

The report notes the deal preceded U.S. approval of Nvidia chip exports to Tahnoon-linked AI firm G42, prompting questions around foreign investment, crypto policy, and geopolitical influence.