Abu Dhabi fund pays for Binance stake in World Liberty’s stablecoin
- Status
- Completed
- Type
- Stablecoin transaction · May 1, 2025
- Counterparty
- MGX, a UAE state-backed fund, and Binance
- Amount
- $2 billion in USD1
- People
- Donald Trump
WHO PAID, WHO GOT WHAT
The investment in Binance was settled in USD1, the stablecoin issued by the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial, which earns yield on the reserves backing the tokens. Binance’s founder later received a pardon (see the Pardon Ledger).
WHAT THE RECORD SHOWS
The value of USD1 in circulation reached about $2.1 billion on April 30, 2025, Reuters reported, citing CoinMarketCap data. Month-precision date. MGX and Binance announced the $2 billion investment in March 2025, CNBC reported; World Liberty co-founder Zach Witkoff announced in May 2025 that it would be closed in USD1, Reuters reported.
RESPONSE
World Liberty dismissed the notion of a conflict, saying the UAE deal had no connection to the president’s chips policy, AP reported. Zhao’s lawyer denied any link between Binance’s business ties and the pardon.
Correction. An earlier version said the $2 billion investment was announced in May 2025. MGX and Binance announced it in March 2025; World Liberty’s co-founder said in May that it would be settled in USD1. Corrected September 18, 2026.
SOURCES
- PBS NewsHour (Associated Press): How the Trump family’s business deals could open the door for future presidents to profit from office ↗
- Time: What to know about Trump’s pardon of Binance’s founder ↗
- Fox Business (Reuters): Trump’s stablecoin chosen for $2 billion Abu Dhabi investment in Binance, co-founder says ↗
- CNBC: Binance secures ‘largest investment ever’ in crypto as Abu Dhabi’s MGX pledges $2 billion ↗
A connection recorded here is not proof that it bought the outcome. Where a response exists, it is part of the record. How entries are labeled · Submit a correction or response · Download the ledger
