Abu Dhabi royal backs 49% stake in Trump crypto bank
An Abu Dhabi royal backs a 49% stake in the holding company behind World Liberty Financial's proposed U.S. trust bank, the Wall Street Journal reported. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan's group is behind StringZ Holding RSC, the largest investor in WLTC Holdings, while a Trump family-affiliated entity holds 38%, people familiar with the matter told the WSJ.
The reported ownership structure places Gulf capital at the center of a federally supervised banking push tied to Donald Trump's crypto venture. If the trust bank wins final approval, issuance, redemption and custody of World Liberty's USD1 stablecoin would move under that regulated entity rather than operating outside traditional bank oversight.
Key Takeaways
- Sheikh Tahnoon's group reportedly owns 49% of WLTC Holdings through StringZ Holding RSC, per the WSJ.
- A Trump family-affiliated entity holds another 38% of the holding company behind the proposed trust bank.
- The OCC granted World Liberty Trust Company preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14, 2026.
- StringZ signed commitments not to influence the bank, though the OCC filing does not name Tahnoon or disclose stakes.
- Democratic senators previously called for hearings over Tahnoon's earlier $500 million World Liberty investment.
Who Is Behind the Reported 49% Stake?
Citing people familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported that Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan's group is the force behind StringZ Holding RSC. That vehicle owns 49% of WLTC Holdings, the parent of World Liberty Financial's planned national trust bank.
Tahnoon serves as the United Arab Emirates' national security adviser and chairs artificial intelligence company G42. Washington authorized exports of advanced AI chips to G42 in November 2025, months after the U.S. and Abu Dhabi agreed a broader AI cooperation framework.
What Would the Proposed Trust Bank Do?
World Liberty Financial has sought a federally chartered path for its stablecoin business. If it receives final approval, the planned bank would bring issuance, redemption and custody of World Liberty's USD1 stablecoin under the federally supervised venture.
That structure would mark a significant step for a Trump-linked crypto project seeking mainstream financial legitimacy. The arrangement also deepens ties between Abu Dhabi-linked investors and the Trump family's digital asset platform.
What Did the OCC Approve — and What Happens Next?
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted World Liberty Trust Company preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14, 2026. Its published decision confirms that StringZ is an investor in WLTC Holdings and that StringZ signed commitments not to influence the bank.
The filing does not identify Tahnoon as StringZ's backer and does not disclose ownership percentages. The trust bank cannot begin operating until it satisfies the OCC's pre-opening requirements and receives final approval, according to the regulator's decision. For broader context on digital-asset banking moves, see our Fintech & Crypto Alerts coverage hub.
Why Are U.S. Lawmakers Scrutinizing Earlier Deals?
This is not Tahnoon's first major bet on World Liberty Financial. He previously backed a $500 million purchase of a 49% stake in the crypto venture itself. Democratic senators later called for hearings into that transaction and whether it influenced U.S. policy toward the UAE.
The latest reported bank holding stake renews questions about foreign-government-linked capital inside a Trump-affiliated financial institution. Cointelegraph said it contacted the Trump Organization for comment but received no response before publication. The original reporting appeared in the Wall Street Journal.