Secret Trump Crypto Deal With UAE ‘Spy Sheikh’ Sparks Political Firestorm

A previously undisclosed $500 million investment into a Trump-linked crypto company by a powerful United Arab Emirates official is triggering sharp political backlash in Washington, with lawmakers warning of potential conflicts of interest and national security risks. According to newly revealed records and reporting, entities backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aka Spy Sheikh—the UAE’s national security adviser and a key figure in its intelligence apparatus—quietly acquired a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture associated with the Trump family. The agreement was finalized just days before Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Millions Flowed to Trump-Linked Entities

Company documents indicate that the Trump crypto deal required roughly half of the $500 million purchase price to be paid upfront, sending approximately $187 million to Trump family-affiliated entities. An additional $31 million was earmarked for businesses connected to Steve Witkoff, a co-founder of World Liberty Financial who was later appointed as a U.S. envoy to the Middle East.

The crypto agreement was signed by Eric Trump, who plays a leadership role in the company. The size and timing of the transaction make it one of the most significant foreign investments ever linked to a sitting or incoming U.S. president’s business interests.

Who Is the ‘Spy Sheikh’?

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan is among the most influential figures in the Gulf region. A brother of the UAE president, he oversees a vast financial and security portfolio estimated to exceed $1.3 trillion, spanning artificial intelligence, defense technology, surveillance systems, and sovereign wealth funds.

In Washington policy circles, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan has earned the nickname “Spy Sheikh” due to his intelligence role and deep involvement in sensitive technologies. Under the Biden administration, U.S. officials had restricted access to advanced AI chips sought by UAE-linked firms amid concerns those technologies could be diverted to China.

Policy Shift Raises Eyebrows

After Trump returned to office, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan reportedly gained direct access to senior U.S. officials, including meetings at the White House. Within months, the U.S. approved expanded AI chip sales to the UAE—technology that had previously been denied over security fears.

The timing of those approvals has intensified scrutiny of the Trump crypto deal.

Warren Calls for Congressional Probe

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee, has called for immediate congressional hearings, accusing the Trump administration of blurring the line between public policy and private profit.

She and other lawmakers argue the transaction raises urgent questions about whether U.S. foreign policy decisions were influenced by financial ties benefiting the president’s family.

White House Pushback

The White House has denied any wrongdoing with the Trump’s World Liberty Financial, stating that the president’s assets are managed through a family trust and that Trump is not involved in day-to-day business decisions. Officials also say Witkoff has divested from the crypto venture and follows ethics rules.

Still, critics say the scale, secrecy, and geopolitical implications of the deal demand deeper investigation.

As Congress weighs next steps, the episode underscores how cryptocurrency, foreign capital, and presidential power are colliding in unprecedented—and controversial—ways.