A report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) revealed that Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ national security adviser and chairman of AI firm G42, is behind StringZ Holding RSC. The company holds a 49% stake in WLTC Holdings, the parent entity of World Liberty Financial’s crypto trust bank. Meanwhile, WSJ sources noted that entities linked to the Trump family control a 38% stake in the same parent company.
The substantial ownership stakes from both sides form the primary foundation for World Liberty Trust Company. If it secures final regulatory approval, the bank will assume the full role of issuing, redeeming, and custodying the World Liberty ecosystem’s USD1 stablecoin.
Strict Conditions Before Operating
Despite its established structure, World Liberty Trust Company cannot yet serve the public. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) only granted conditional preliminary approval on August 14.
Official OCC documents list StringZ as an investor in WLTC Holdings. The company has also signed a written commitment not to influence the bank’s daily operations. Notably, Sheikh Tahnoon’s name is not mentioned anywhere in the approval documents. The bank cannot operate until all pre-opening requirements from the OCC are fulfilled and formal final approval is received.
Geopolitical Ties and AI Exports
Sheikh Tahnoon’s footprint in this business network follows earlier funding maneuvers. He previously backed a 49% stake purchase in World Liberty Financial with an investment valued at $500 million. The influx of Abu Dhabi funds previously sparked reactions in Washington, with several Democratic senators demanding a dedicated hearing to probe the transaction and scrutinize its potential influence on US policy toward the United Arab Emirates.
The senators’ demands stem from recent close technological ties between the two nations. In November 2025, the US government permitted exports of advanced AI chips to Tahnoon-owned G42. This strategic authorization came just one month after Washington and Abu Dhabi signed a much broader AI cooperation agreement.
Final Hurdles Toward Market Launch
The earlier $500 million capital alongside the 49% stake via StringZ provides substantial financial backing for the launch of the USD1 stablecoin. However, it also places the Trump family’s crypto project under US political and diplomatic scrutiny. While the OCC now holds written commitments from investors, the path to a full launch remains strictly contingent upon meeting all mandatory operational conditions.
Source: Cointelegraph.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
