Media: World Liberty Financial Received $100 Million from Businessman with Questionable Reputation

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-08-10Last updated on 2026-08-10

Abstract

The cryptocurrency project World Liberty Financial (WLF), affiliated with the family of former U.S. President Donald Trump, received a $100 million investment from businessman Guren "Bobby" Zhou, who is reportedly under investigation in the UK for suspected money laundering, according to The New York Times. Zhou, previously known as a flooring salesman, purchased WLF tokens through his company Aqua 1, becoming one of the project's largest investors. While named in a November 2025 UK court document as a participant in an alleged money-laundering scheme, he has not been criminally charged. It is unclear how thoroughly WLF vetted his background. The investment structure could see up to $75 million distributed to entities controlled by Trump and his three sons. The case highlights concerns about anonymity in crypto transactions, allowing figures with opaque backgrounds to invest substantial sums in politically-linked projects.

The cryptocurrency project of US President Donald Trump's family, World Liberty Financial, received $100 million from businessman Guren "Bobby" Zhou, who is under ongoing investigation in the United Kingdom on suspicion of money laundering. This is reported by The New York Times.

Zhou purchased WLFI tokens through his company Aqua 1, becoming one of the project's largest investors. However, he was not previously known as a businessman with access to capital on such a scale.

According to the publication, just two years ago, Zhou was engaged in selling flooring in the UK. Simultaneously, he managed a small cryptocurrency startup that subsequently failed.

Zhou Featured in UK Investigation

In November 2025, a court document accused Zhou of participating, along with five other individuals, in a money laundering scheme alleged to have begun in 2019. However, no criminal charges have been filed against Zhou. In late July 2026, British law enforcement stated that the investigation remains active, journalists noted.

Information about the investigation was publicly available, but it is unknown how thoroughly World Liberty Financial vetted the investor's background before receiving the funds.

Zhou himself had previously publicly confirmed his involvement in the project. During an audio broadcast on X, he appeared under the pseudonym "Mr. Bobby" from Aqua 1 and stated that the company is proud of its status as a major WLF investor, according to a statement.

Under World Liberty Financial's policy, up to $75 million of the $100 million could be distributed among entities controlled by Donald Trump and his three sons. Part of the funds could also benefit the family of Steve Witkoff, a special representative of the Trump administration and the father of WLF co-founder Zach Witkoff.

NYT points out that the Zhou case highlights the risks associated with the anonymity of cryptocurrency transactions, where buyers with obscure backgrounds can direct significant sums into presidential crypto projects.

Recall that in February 2026, the WSJ reported that a sheikh from the UAE purchased 49% of the shares of the cryptocurrency company World Liberty Financial.

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