A businessman under investigation by British authorities for suspected money laundering reportedly funneled $100 million into World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency venture linked to President Donald Trump, according to a New York Times report.
The Aqua 1 Connection
The individual is said to be behind Aqua 1, an entity that acquired roughly $100 million in World Liberty Financial (WLF) tokens during 2025. The purchase ranks among the largest known investments in the Trump-affiliated crypto project, which has drawn scrutiny over its financing and the identities of its backers.
According to the report, the businessman maintains ties to both the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. His alleged involvement in a UK money laundering probe raises fresh questions about the sources of capital flowing into World Liberty Financial and the level of due diligence conducted on major investors.
A $100 million bet on a president's crypto venture now sits at the center of a money laundering inquiry.
Scrutiny Over Trump's Crypto Ventures
World Liberty Financial has been a lightning rod for controversy since its launch, with critics warning about potential conflicts of interest tied to the sitting president's financial stakes in the digital asset space. The project's token sales and its list of investors have repeatedly attracted regulatory and journalistic attention.
The latest revelations underscore ongoing concerns about transparency in the venture, particularly around large purchases from parties whose backgrounds may not be fully vetted. Questions have persisted over how much scrutiny buyers face before committing substantial sums.
Key issues raised by the report include:
- The origin of the funds used to buy the WLF tokens
- Whether adequate compliance checks were performed on major investors
- Potential reputational and legal risks for the Trump-linked project
Neither World Liberty Financial nor the individual named in the report has publicly resolved the allegations, and the UK investigation remains ongoing. The developments add to a growing list of concerns surrounding crypto ventures tied to political figures.