A new discussion around cryptocurrency and politics has arisen in Washington. The claim that a group affiliated with the United Arab Emirates invested $500 million in the World Liberty Financial project associated with the Trump family attracted the attention of Congress. U.S. Representative Ro Khanna launched a formal review of the agreement due to its timing and parties. The investigation includes critical topics in terms of both national security and possible conflicts of interest.
Background to UAE Investment and Congressional Investigation
On January 16, 2025, it was reported that a group reportedly linked to senior security officials in the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement to purchase 49 percent of World Liberty Financial. It was claimed that the group in question was associated with Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who has an important position in the UAE. The completion of the agreement just a few days before Donald Trump took office at the White House raised questions in Washington.
Ro Khanna, who serves on the special committee focusing on risks originating from China in the House of Representatives, initiated an official investigation process following the developments. In the letter he sent to Zach Witkoff, one of the founding partners of World Liberty Financial, Khanna requested all partnership documents, payment flows, board correspondence and internal messaging. Members of Congress want to know who approved the agreement, through what channels the funds were transferred, and whether there were any subsequent public policy changes.
According to Khanna, the size of the investment and its overlap with the political calendar pose serious risks in terms of transparency. The fact that the Trump family is directly connected to the project increases concerns that foreign capital may have an indirect impact on the US administration. The White House describes the transaction as a normal commercial activity.
National Security, Technology Policy and Binance Connection
One of the important topics of the investigation was that the investment coincided with the US’s technology policies. Ro Khanna reminded that shortly after the agreement, the US administration approved the export of advanced artificial intelligence chips to the UAE, which are normally limited for security reasons. It is considered that this decision may be related to the softening in political relations after the investment.
Khanna also drew attention to the stablecoin USD1, issued by World Liberty Financial. Allegedly, this stablecoin was used in the $2 billion investment of a UAE-related group in Binance. This transaction contributed to the spread of USD1 on a global scale and increased the economic power of the company associated with the Trump family. On the congress side, these financial relations are thought to have an impact on market balances.
Another topic that came up within the scope of the investigation was the amnesty given to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. Khanna argues that it should be investigated whether there is an indirect link between investment relations and this political decision. All documents requested from World Liberty Financial were requested to be delivered to Congress by March 1, 2026. Otherwise, it was reported that a more comprehensive audit process would be initiated.
