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The agreement was signed just 4 days before Donald Trump’s second term began in January 2025.
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Aryam Investment 1 paid $250 million upfront to the buyer (connected to Sheikh Tahnoon).
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Sheikh Tahnoon, the national security adviser of the UAE and brother to the UAE president, is a prominent figure in the UAE.
World Liberty Financial (WLF), an ICO venture linked to the Trump family sold a 49% share for $500 million to a fund backed Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan from the United Arab Emirates.
The deal was signed just four days before Donald Trump’s second term began in January 2025. Aryam Investment 1 paid $250 million upfront. Around $187 million was paid to Trump family companies, and over $30 million to other companies, including Steve Witkoff’s family.
The sheikh reportedly wanted access to the advanced AI chips made in the US for a long time (prior to this, they were restricted due to national-security concerns). The Trump administration agreed, months after the crypto investment, to sell around half a million of these advanced chips to the UAE each year.
The deal was not disclosed to the public, which led to questions about why foreign funds were invested just before Trump’s election.
Critics claim that this is an unprecedented case where a foreign official invests in the business of a sitting President, which could affect America’s international relationships.
Some US lawmakers, such as Senator Elizabeth Warren, have referred to this deal as corrupt and called for an investigation into the sale of chips in relation to the investment.
Representatives of World Liberty Financial, as well as the White House, deny any connection between this investment and US policy. They claim that the assets of President Trump are held in trusts, and that the policy is solely determined by the national interest.
Who is the “Spy sheikh”?
Sheikh Tahnoon, the national security adviser of the UAE and brother to the UAE president, is a prominent figure in the country. He controls major investments via government and private funds, such as G42 or MGX.
Tahnoon is known for his intelligence ties and global business deals. This is why some media outlets, and even critics, refer to him as a “spy Sheikh.”
Tahnoon’s company G42 received some of the AI chips in the deal. This company has been scrutinized for past alleged links to Chinese tech giant Huawei. This raises further questions.
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