Warren, Kim Urge Treasury to Probe $500M UAE Investment in Trump-Linked World Liberty Financial

Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim have called on the US Treasury Department to investigate a $500 million foreign investment in World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a cryptocurrency venture tied to President Donald Trump’s family. In a letter sent to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the lawmakers raised concerns about national security, foreign influence, and data privacy risks stemming from the deal.

According to the senators, the transaction transferred a 49% equity stake in World Liberty Financial to a United Arab Emirates-backed investment vehicle just 96 hours before Trump’s inauguration. Warren and Kim are urging the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to determine whether the capital injection poses a threat to US national security.

The lawmakers questioned the speed and structure of the agreement, suggesting it may have provided financial benefits to entities affiliated with the Trump family. They also asked whether UAE-backed investors received preferential treatment during the approval process.

Reports indicate that Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security adviser, played a central role in steering the investment. As part of the deal, two executives from G42—an artificial intelligence firm linked to Sheikh Tahnoon—secured seats on WLFI’s five-member board, effectively granting significant operational influence to a foreign-backed entity.

Warren and Kim highlighted past US intelligence scrutiny of G42, including allegations that the company supplied surveillance technology to China’s military. They warned that foreign involvement in a Trump-linked crypto business could create a channel for external influence over the president’s private financial interests.

The senators also emphasized potential data privacy risks. They argued that sensitive financial metadata, including wallet addresses, device identifiers, and geolocation data from high-ranking US officials using the platform, could be exposed to foreign intelligence services.

Secretary Bessent faces a March 5 deadline to clarify whether the Treasury will launch a formal review into the World Liberty Financial investment.