Two U.S. lawmakers have called for a federal review of a high-profile foreign investment tied to a cryptocurrency venture connected to President Donald Trump’s family.
Key Takeaways
U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim are calling for a national security review of a $500 million UAE-backed investment in World Liberty Financial.
The deal reportedly granted a foreign-linked firm a 49% stake just days before President Trump’s second inauguration.
Lawmakers warn the transaction could expose sensitive user data and raise concerns about foreign influence.
In February 2026, Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim sent a letter to Scott Bessent urging the Treasury Department to examine a $500 million deal involving World Liberty Financial, a digital-asset platform reportedly linked to Trump family interests.
Details of the $500 Million Transaction
According to reports, a firm backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan – the United Arab Emirates’ national security adviser – acquired a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial in January 2025. The timing of the deal has drawn scrutiny, as it allegedly closed just days before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
Lawmakers pointed to disclosures suggesting that roughly $187 million of the investment was funneled to entities associated with the Trump family. The involvement of G42, a UAE-based technology company previously examined by U.S. intelligence agencies over alleged links to Chinese military-affiliated firms, has intensified concerns.
Lawmakers Raise Security and Influence Concerns
In their letter, the senators flagged what they described as potential national security risks stemming from foreign ownership of a major U.S.-linked crypto platform. They warned that overseas stakeholders could gain access to sensitive user information, including wallet addresses, IP data, and identity verification records.
The letter also referenced broader geopolitical implications. Critics have noted that months after the reported transaction, the Trump administration approved the sale of advanced artificial intelligence chips to the UAE, raising questions about whether the investment and subsequent policy decisions could be connected.
Call for CFIUS Review
The senators requested clarification from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and asked whether the panel had been formally notified of the transaction. They also sought confirmation on whether a national security review had been conducted and whether any findings or recommendations were submitted to President Trump.
CFIUS is responsible for assessing foreign investments that could pose risks to U.S. national security, particularly in sectors involving advanced technology or sensitive data.
Response From World Liberty Financial
President Trump has stated publicly that he was not directly involved in negotiations surrounding the UAE-linked deal, emphasizing that his family manages the business operations.
World Liberty Financial has not publicly disclosed detailed information about its ownership structure beyond what has surfaced in media reports. The situation now places the crypto venture at the center of a broader debate over foreign capital, digital asset regulation, and national security oversight in the United States.
