Abu Dhabi Royal Linked to Largest Stake in World Liberty Financial's Proposed US Trust Bank
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s group reportedly holds 49% of the holding company behind the planned stablecoin bank.
Quick Look
- Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s investment group reportedly holds a 49% stake in the holding company behind World Liberty Financial’s proposed US trust bank, with the Trump family holding 38%.
- The bank aims to manage the USD1 stablecoin under federal supervision.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The OCC granted preliminary conditional approval for the World Liberty Trust Company on Aug. 14. The bank is intended to handle the issuance and custody of the USD1 stablecoin.
An Abu Dhabi royal and his co-investors reportedly back the largest stake in the holding company behind World Liberty Financial’s proposed US trust bank.
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 US President Donald Trump’s family owns another 38%, one person told WSJ.
If it receives final approval, the planned bank would bring the issuance, redemption and custody of World Liberty’s USD1 stablecoin under the federally supervised venture.
Tahnoon is the UAE’s national security adviser and chairman of artificial intelligence company G42. The US authorized exports of advanced AI chips to G42 in November 2025, months after Washington and Abu Dhabi agreed a broader AI cooperation framework.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted World Liberty Trust Company preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14. Its published decision confirms that StringZ is an investor in WLTC Holdings and signed commitments not to influence the bank. It does not identify Tahnoon as its backer or disclose its stake.
The trust bank cannot begin operating until it satisfies the OCC’s pre-opening requirements and receives final approval.
Tahnoon previously backed a $500 million purchase of 49% of World Liberty Financial. Democratic senators later called for hearings into the transaction and whether it influenced US policy toward the UAE.
Cointelegraph contacted the Trump Organization for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The trust bank will undergo further review before final approval.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- When will the bank receive final approval?
- Will the OCC address the undisclosed stake of Sheikh Tahnoon?
