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US President Donald Trump stated on February 2, 2026, that he was unaware of a reported $500 million investment from an Abu Dhabi royal into World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a cryptocurrency platform associated with his family, amid growing scrutiny over foreign funding and potential conflicts of interest.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “I don’t know about it. My sons are handling that. I guess they get investments from people,” when questioned about the deal. The investment, reportedly orchestrated by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan—a senior UAE royal and owner of Manchester City—would secure a 49% stake in WLFI, with an initial $250 million tranche. The agreement was struck just four days before Trump’s January 20, 2025, inauguration for his second term, according to sources familiar with the matter.
WLFI, launched in late 2024 as a DeFi lending platform on the Aave protocol, has been promoted by Trump and his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, who serve in advisory roles. The project aims to provide crypto services to unbanked users but has faced criticism for high fees, limited functionality, and ties to controversial figures. Trump has positioned himself as pro-crypto during his campaign, vowing to make the US a “crypto capital.”
The deal has raised concerns about foreign influence, given UAE’s strategic alliances and Trump’s past business dealings in the region. Ethics experts note potential violations of emoluments clauses or disclosure rules, though WLFI and the White House assert Trump has no direct involvement, with his assets in a blind trust managed by his children. No evidence of illegality has surfaced, but congressional Democrats have called for investigations.
A WLFI spokesperson confirmed the investment but declined to provide details, emphasizing compliance with US regulations. As crypto markets watch closely—Bitcoin steady near $78K amid broader stability—the episode highlights ongoing tensions between Trump’s business empire and presidential duties, with further clarifications anticipated.
