Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the influential national security advisor of the United Arab Emirates, is reportedly behind the largest stake in the holding company for a planned cryptocurrency bank associated with the Trump family. This development further solidifies the significant financial ties between the UAE official and President Donald Trump’s business interests.
According to a recent report, Sheikh Tahnoon, who also serves as the brother of the UAE’s president, along with his co-investors, is the driving force behind StringZ Holding RSC. This entity holds a substantial 49% stake in WLTC Holdings, the parent company of the planned crypto bank. An entity affiliated with the Trump family controls an additional 38% of WLTC Holdings, underscoring a complex and deeply intertwined ownership structure.
This investment follows a previous significant commitment. In January 2025, the same month President Trump commenced his second term, Sheikh Tahnoon and other investors injected $500 million into World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company backed by Trump. This initial investment secured them a 49% stake in the company and, according to Trump’s 2025 annual financial disclosure, directed $263 million to entities associated with the Trump family.
These foreign-backed investments have become a notable trend benefiting Trump’s businesses since his return to office. CNBC has previously reported that Trump’s ventures generated at least $59.5 million in foreign licensing revenue during the first year of his second term, highlighting a pattern of international capital flowing into his enterprise.
The proposed cryptocurrency bank, World Liberty, recently received preliminary conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency this month. This approval is for establishing a federally chartered national trust bank, which would be responsible for issuing, redeeming, and safeguarding USD1, World Liberty’s dollar-backed stablecoin. However, the bank must still meet a set of additional stringent conditions before it can officially commence operations.
The substantial involvement of Sheikh Tahnoon, a foreign government official, in a venture with direct ties to the U.S. President has inevitably drawn scrutiny. This is particularly relevant given the ongoing discussions and negotiations between the Trump administration and the UAE concerning access to advanced U.S. artificial-intelligence chips. The administration had previously approved chip sales to G42, a UAE state-backed AI company under Sheikh Tahnoon’s control, and more recently eased restrictions on the volume of chips the company could acquire.
In response to the scrutiny, a spokesperson for World Liberty, David Wachsman, emphasized the company’s nature. He stated that World Liberty is “a private American financial technology company, not a political organization,” and that its trust company operates with separate governance. Wachsman asserted that no World Liberty personnel are affiliated with the U.S. government and that no conflicts of interest exist, adding that the company neither seeks nor receives special treatment. He did not, however, directly address the reported ownership structure in his statement.
The White House has not yet provided an immediate comment to CNBC’s request. However, in previous instances, the administration has maintained that President Trump “only acts in the best interest of the American public” and has denied any conflicts of interest in his business dealings.
The convergence of a UAE national security advisor’s substantial investment in a U.S. cryptocurrency bank, coupled with ongoing U.S.-UAE negotiations on critical AI technology, presents a complex geopolitical and financial landscape. This situation warrants a deeper analysis of the strategic implications for both nations.
From a financial technology perspective, the backing of a U.S. cryptocurrency bank by foreign state-aligned capital raises pertinent questions about regulatory oversight and potential influence. The pursuit of a federally chartered national trust bank by World Liberty signifies a move towards mainstream financial legitimacy, but the significant foreign ownership structure could present challenges in satisfying regulators focused on national security and financial stability. The ability of a stablecoin to maintain its peg and operate without disruption is paramount, and any perception of undue foreign influence could erode market confidence.
The dual role of Sheikh Tahnoon as a key figure in UAE’s national security and a significant investor in a U.S. financial technology venture highlights the increasingly blurred lines between sovereign interests and private enterprise in the global economy. The UAE’s strategic push into advanced technologies, particularly AI, is well-documented. Their desire to secure access to cutting-edge U.S. semiconductor technology is a critical component of this strategy. The fact that the Trump administration has eased export controls on advanced AI chips to a UAE state-backed company controlled by Sheikh Tahnoon, while simultaneously he is a major investor in a U.S. crypto bank, creates a nexus that observers will scrutinize for potential quid pro quo or strategic alignments.
This scenario underscores the evolving nature of international investment and its intersection with national security. As emerging technologies like AI and cryptocurrencies become increasingly integral to economic and military power, the flow of capital and expertise across borders takes on heightened significance. The U.S. regulatory framework, designed to protect its financial system and national security interests, will be tested by these novel investment structures and the geopolitical considerations they entail. The transparency and accountability surrounding such deals will be crucial in maintaining public trust and ensuring that economic partnerships serve mutual interests without compromising national sovereignty or security.
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