In July 2025, Eric Trump, the second son of Donald Trump, signed a secret agreement with representatives of Sheikh Mansour, the UAE’s National Security Advisor. Under the deal, the UAE acquired a 49% stake in the Trump family’s cryptocurrency company, World Liberty Financial, for $500 million.
As of February 2, 2026, the company’s governance token, WLFI, was listed on Gate at approximately $0.1261, with a market capitalization exceeding $3.3 billion and a 24-hour trading volume reaching $310 million.
01 The Secret Deal
Business ties between the Trump family and the UAE royal family accelerated rapidly in July 2025. Just four days before Trump’s inauguration, a game-changing transaction was completed behind closed doors.
According to multiple media reports, a special envoy from Sheikh Mansour, the UAE’s National Security Advisor, signed a secret agreement with Eric Trump to acquire a 49% stake in the Trump family’s cryptocurrency company, World Liberty Financial, for $500 million.
The agreement stipulated that the first payment of $250 million was made at signing, with $187 million flowing directly to Trump family entities.
The remaining $250 million was due by July 15, 2025, though the exact allocation has not been disclosed. The timing—on the eve of Trump’s second term—sparked widespread speculation.
02 Political and Business Turmoil
The deal immediately raised serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest for the U.S. President. It is extremely rare in modern American politics for foreign government officials to hold a significant stake in a sitting president’s family business.
The Trump administration had previously maintained various connections with the UAE. Steve Witkoff, one of World Liberty Financial’s co-founders, also served as Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, adding another layer of complexity.
After the deal became public, Democratic lawmakers reacted strongly. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts called it "corruption, plain and simple" and urged Congress to investigate Trump and individuals linked to the company.
Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee posted on social media: "Trump wasted no time in his second term using the presidency to enrich himself and his family, all while driving up costs for everyday Americans."
03 Official Responses
In response to the criticism, World Liberty Financial spokesperson David Wachsman issued a statement to clarify: "President Trump and Steve Witkoff were not involved in this transaction and have not participated in World Liberty Financial’s affairs since taking office."
Wachsman emphasized that the deal was driven purely by business considerations and aligned with the company’s best interests. He rejected calls for the company to be held to special standards, calling such demands "absurd and contrary to the American spirit."
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated: "President Trump acts solely in the best interests of the American public—that’s why they overwhelmingly re-elected him, despite years of false accusations and lies from the fake news media targeting him and his businesses."
04 Market Reaction
The transaction had an immediate impact on World Liberty Financial’s governance token, WLFI. As of February 2, 2026, WLFI’s performance on exchanges like Gate was as follows:
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Current Price | $0.1261 | Up about 2.94% from 24 hours ago |
| 24h Trading Volume | $310.66M | High market activity |
| Market Cap | $3.37B | Among top crypto market caps |
| Circulating Supply | 26.74B WLFI | 26.7% of total supply |
| All-Time High | $0.46 | Reached on September 1, 2025 |
Despite political controversy, market data shows that WLFI continues to maintain robust trading activity and a sizable market cap.
05 Event Timeline
Key milestones in this complex episode reveal a close connection between the deal and political events:
September 2024: The Trump family announces the founding of World Liberty Financial, aiming to strengthen the dollar’s role in decentralized finance.
July 11, 2025: Four days before Trump’s inauguration, Eric Trump signs a $500 million investment agreement with the UAE envoy.
July 15, 2025: Deadline for the remaining $250 million payment as stipulated in the agreement.
September 1, 2025: WLFI token hits its all-time high of $0.46.
February 1, 2026: The Wall Street Journal breaks news of the secret deal, drawing widespread attention.
February 2, 2026: WLFI price stabilizes near $0.1261 on Gate, with market cap holding above $3.3 billion.
06 Broader Connections
An investigation by The New York Times revealed a striking coincidence in timing between this crypto investment and another major transaction—the UAE’s acquisition of advanced AI chips.
Shortly after World Liberty Financial received UAE investment, the U.S. government agreed to allow the UAE to obtain hundreds of thousands of the world’s most advanced and scarce computer chips, crucial for the fierce competition in artificial intelligence.
Although both World Liberty Financial and the White House denied any connection between the two deals—a government spokesperson called the crypto transaction "entirely unrelated to any government affairs"—the timing has nonetheless raised ethical concerns.
07 Industry Impact
For the crypto industry, this event highlights the growing intersection of politics and digital asset markets. As traditional political forces increasingly enter the crypto space, similar controversies may become more frequent.
A spokesperson for World Liberty Financial stated that since accepting the investment, the company "has achieved substantial growth," and claimed its "current value far exceeds the original investment and is poised to become one of the fastest-growing fintech platforms globally."
Market analysts noted that such incidents could prompt regulators to step up scrutiny of crypto projects linked to politicians, especially those involving foreign investment. This trend may affect investor confidence, particularly among institutions seeking stability and transparency.
Outlook
As of February 2, WLFI’s 24-hour trading volume on Gate exceeded $310 million, with buyers accounting for 84.2%—demonstrating sustained interest in this controversial asset.
World Liberty Financial’s whitepaper states its mission is to "strengthen the dollar’s position in the digital financial world." Now, nearly half of the company’s ownership belongs to a key figure from a Middle Eastern kingdom.
With the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission potentially stepping in to review the deal, this episode is shaping up to be a landmark case at the intersection of crypto regulation and political ethics.
