An Abu Dhabi royal and his co-investors are reportedly behind the largest stake in the holding company that owns World Liberty Financial’s proposed US trust bank, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The move links a prominent Gulf investor to a crypto venture associated with President Donald Trump’s family, raising new questions about the intersection of digital assets, foreign investment, and US financial regulation.
Who is behind the stake?
Citing people familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported that Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s group is behind StringZ Holding RSC, which owns 49% of WLTC Holdings. An entity affiliated with President Trump’s family holds another 38%, one person told WSJ. Sheikh Tahnoon serves as the UAE’s national security adviser and chairs the artificial intelligence company G42.
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The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) granted World Liberty Trust Company preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14. Its published decision confirms that StringZ is an investor in WLTC Holdings and has signed commitments not to influence the bank’s operations. However, the OCC document does not identify Sheikh Tahnoon as the backer or disclose the size of the stake.
What does the proposed bank aim to do?
If it receives final approval, the trust bank would bring the issuance, redemption, and custody of World Liberty’s USD1 stablecoin under a federally supervised framework. The venture would operate under OCC oversight, which would mark a significant regulatory step for the stablecoin market.
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The bank cannot begin operations until it satisfies the OCC’s pre-opening requirements and receives final approval. The timeline for that process remains uncertain, but the preliminary approval is a notable milestone in the ongoing integration of digital assets into the traditional banking system.
Background and previous investments
Sheikh Tahnoon previously backed a $500 million purchase of a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial. That transaction drew scrutiny from Democratic senators, who called for hearings into whether it influenced US policy toward the UAE. The US authorized exports of advanced AI chips to G42 in November 2025, months after Washington and Abu Dhabi agreed on a broader AI cooperation framework.
Cointelegraph contacted the Trump Organization for comment but did not receive a response before publication. The full ownership structure of WLTC Holdings and the exact nature of Sheikh Tahnoon’s involvement remain partially undisclosed, as the OCC’s published decision does not name individual backers.
Why this matters
This development highlights the growing involvement of foreign investors in US crypto ventures and the regulatory challenges that come with it. The OCC’s conditional approval is a sign that stablecoin projects are moving toward regulated banking structures, but it also raises questions about transparency and foreign influence in US financial institutions.
For readers, the key takeaway is that this is a developing story with regulatory, political, and financial implications. The final approval process will determine whether the bank can operate, and the involvement of a high-profile foreign investor will likely continue to attract scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators.
Conclusion
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Sheikh Tahnoon’s group appears to hold a 49% stake in the holding company behind World Liberty Financial’s proposed trust bank. The OCC’s preliminary approval is a step forward, but the venture still faces final approval and pre-opening requirements. The story underscores the complex relationship between crypto innovation, foreign investment, and US regulatory oversight.
FAQs
Q1: What is World Liberty Financial?
World Liberty Financial is a crypto project associated with President Donald Trump’s family. It aims to launch a stablecoin, USD1, and has sought regulatory approval to operate a trust bank under OCC oversight.
Q2: What is the OCC’s role in this?
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is a US federal agency that regulates national banks and federal savings associations. It granted World Liberty Trust Company preliminary conditional approval, which is an early step before final approval and full operation.
Q3: What are the concerns about foreign investment?
Lawmakers have raised concerns about potential foreign influence on US policy, particularly given Sheikh Tahnoon’s role as UAE’s national security adviser. The OCC’s published decision notes that StringZ has committed not to influence the bank, but transparency remains an issue for critics.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile and uncertain; readers should conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.
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