UK money laundering suspect bought $100M in Trump crypto business: NYT
Reported by Cointelegraph · AI-assisted summary by ChikoCorp AI News Desk
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Summary
An individual previously investigated in the UK for money laundering, Guren Zhou (also known as Bobby), reportedly purchased $100 million worth of tokens from World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a cryptocurrency business affiliated with the Trump family. This transaction occurred in June 2025 through an entity called Aqua 1. Zhou’s involvement contrasts earlier speculation that Dave Lee, Aqua 1’s CEO, was behind the investment. The purchase financially benefited the Trump family and WLFI’s co-founder Zach Witkoff.
Why it matters
The investment by Aqua 1, purportedly a Web3-native fund based in the United Arab Emirates, raises questions about potential conflicts of interest involving foreign actors and the Trump administration. Despite these concerns, White House spokesperson Anna Kelley has denied any conflicts related to the president’s investments. The report highlights concerns about transparency and political interference in crypto investments connected to prominent political figures.
Key context
Guren Zhou was previously arrested in the UK in 2021 on suspicion of money laundering linked to a failed multimillion-dollar crypto venture he started. The source and legitimacy of his $100 million investment into WLFI remain unexplained. World Liberty Financial has significant backing from notable investors including Tron founder Justin Sun and an Abu Dhabi entity supported by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reflecting substantial international interest in the company.
Key numbers and entities
Key individuals: Guren Zhou (aka Bobby), Dave Lee, Donald Trump and his family members, Zach Witkoff, Justin Sun, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Entities: World Liberty Financial (WLFI), Aqua 1, Tron, an Abu Dhabi entity. Key figures: $100 million token purchase by Aqua 1, $45 million initial investment by Justin Sun, $500 million stake by the Abu Dhabi entity. Key dates: June 2025 token purchase, April 2025 Dave Lee joining Aqua 1, 2021 Zhou’s UK arrest.
What remains unclear
The New York Times report states it is a "mystery" how Zhou managed to invest millions into World Liberty despite his 2021 money laundering arrest. It is also unclear whether Dave Lee was involved in the funds invested by Aqua 1. The report does not clarify the source of the investment funds or the full details of Aqua 1’s operations. The White House's denial of conflicts of interest leaves some ambiguity about political implications.