A 49% stake in a Trump-linked crypto bank project is held by an Abu Dhabi royal family member: WSJ

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-08-28Last updated on 2026-08-28

Abstract

A member of the Abu Dhabi royal family and his co-investors reportedly hold the largest stake in the holding company behind the proposed US trust bank, World Liberty Financial, according to the Wall Street Journal. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan's group, through StringZ Holding RSC, owns 49% of WLTC Holdings. Sources indicate an additional 38% is held by an entity linked to former US President Donald Trump's family. If fully approved, the bank would manage the issuance, redemption, and custody of the USD1 stablecoin under federal oversight. Sheikh Tahnoon serves as UAE's national security adviser and chairs AI firm G42, which recently gained US approval for advanced AI chip exports. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted World Liberty Trust Company preliminary conditional approval in August, noting StringZ's investment and non-interference commitments. However, the bank cannot commence operations until meeting all OCC requirements. The deal, involving a prior $500 million investment by Tahnoon, has drawn scrutiny from US lawmakers.

As reported, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family and his co-investors are behind the largest stake in the holding company that controls the proposed trust bank World Liberty Financial in the USA.

Citing sources familiar with the situation, the Wall Street Journal reported that the group of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan is behind StringZ Holding RSC, which owns 49% of WLTC Holdings. One source told the WSJ that another 38% is owned by a structure affiliated with the family of US President Donald Trump.

If the bank receives final approval, it will transfer the issuance, redemption, and custody of the USD1 stablecoin to the federal oversight project's control under World Liberty.

Tahnoon is the national security advisor of the UAE and the chairman of the artificial intelligence development company G42. The US allowed the export of advanced AI chips to G42 in November 2025, several months after Washington and Abu Dhabi agreed on a broader framework for AI cooperation.

The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted World Liberty Trust Company preliminary conditional approval on August 14. The published decision confirms that StringZ is an investor in WLTC Holdings and has signed commitments not to influence the bank's operations. The document does not name Tahnoon as the person behind the company and does not disclose the size of its stake.

The trust bank cannot begin operations until it fulfills the OCC's preliminary opening requirements and receives final approval.

Earlier, Tahnoon supported the purchase of a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial for $500 million. Later, Democratic senators called for hearings on this deal and to ascertain whether it influenced US policy towards the UAE.

Cointelegraph contacted the Trump Organization for comment but did not receive a response before publication.

Report:Trump has cost investors $4.7 billion through cryptocurrency 'schemes': Public Citizen

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Related Questions

QWho owns the largest stake in the holding company behind the proposed World Liberty Financial trust bank, according to the WSJ report?

AAccording to the Wall Street Journal, a group led by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family, stands behind StringZ Holding RSC, which owns 49% of WLTC Holdings, making it the largest stakeholder.

QWhat is the reported affiliation of the entity that owns 38% of WLTC Holdings?

AA source told the WSJ that 38% of WLTC Holdings belongs to a structure affiliated with the family of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

QWhat critical step must World Liberty Trust Company complete before it can begin operations?

AWorld Liberty Trust Company must fulfill the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's (OCC) pre-opening conditions and receive final approval before it can begin operations.

QWhat is Sheikh Tahnoon's main role in the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and in the technology sector?

ASheikh Tahnoon is the UAE's national security adviser and the chairman of the artificial intelligence company G42.

QWhy did U.S. Democratic senators call for hearings related to the World Liberty Financial deal?

AU.S. Democratic senators called for hearings to investigate the deal and determine whether it influenced U.S. policy towards the UAE, following Sheikh Tahnoon's earlier support for the $500 million purchase of a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial.

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