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Donald Trump’s family has quietly reduced its stake in World Liberty Financial, the crypto venture closely tied to his business and political interests, trimming its holding from 60 per cent to 40 per cent after June 8. The move marks a significant shift in the family’s involvement in the blockchain sector.

The reduction in equity coincided with a rising valuation for WLF, which earlier sold US$550 million in its native $WLFI tokens and has attracted substantial foreign investments, including a US$2 billion infusion from a UAE-backed entity using its stablecoin USD1 for Binance transactions. Analysts estimate the 20 per cent stake sale could have fetched around US$190 million, with approximately US$135 million potentially going to Donald Trump personally.

World Liberty Financial, launched during the 2024 election cycle, has been a central hub of the Trump family’s crypto strategy. The firm is a decentralised finance protocol that aggressively markets its connection to Trump, listing him as “chief crypto advocate” and involving his sons in senior Web3 roles. Under its structure, Trump-linked entities capture 60 per cent of ownership and 75 per cent of token sale revenues.

The firm’s high-profile stablecoin USD1, launched in March 2025, swiftly became one of the top five global stablecoins, with a circulating supply exceeding US$2 billion by April. In May, the WLF stablecoin was chosen by an Abu Dhabi investment fund to purchase US$2 billion in Binance shares—a deal criticised for merging private enterprise and diplomatic influence.

Critics have raised concerns that the share reduction, lacking any formal announcement, typifies the project’s secretive nature and the family’s opaque handling of crypto profits. DT Marks DEFI LLC—an entity renamed from DT Tower II LLC in 2024 and fully owned by Trump family—holds the WLF stake. Ownership structure has branched out to include Don Jr., Eric, and Barron Trump, each holding minor positions alongside their father within the DEFI entity.

The lack of disclosure prompted scrutiny, and no official response has emerged from the Trump Organisation or WLF regarding the transaction. This latest move mirrors an earlier reduction in January 2025, when the family lowered its control from 75 per cent to 60 per cent.

The pivot comes amid intensifying criticism of World Liberty’s entanglement with state and family interests. Steve Witkoff—Trump’s Middle East envoy—is linked to key dealmaking, with his son Zach co-founding WLF. Their collaborative efforts to court foreign investment from UAE and Pakistan have sparked concern over potential conflicts between diplomatic roles and private profit. Legal experts and ethicists question the blending of public service and personal gain in a venture that funnels income to the Trump and Witkoff families while concurrently lifting Trump administration deregulatory actions on digital assets.

The share reduction enters a broader regulatory moment. The US Senate recently passed stablecoin legislation that may reshape legal frameworks around such assets, while Circle, a peer stablecoin issuer, saw its valuation spike—heightening investor comparisons with WLF. With global crypto markets in flux and the Trump-linked coin ecosystem expanding, the timing of the sale aligns with strategic portfolio recalibration.

World Liberty continues to promote itself as the “official” Trump crypto brand, prompting its legal team to issue cease-and-desist directives against unauthorised token imitations. There is no indication that the stake reduction signals a retreat; rather, it appears to be a calculated liquidity event amid heightened scrutiny and shifting valuations.

Brussels has moved to recalibrate its anti-money laundering framework with a significant update to its high‑risk third‑country list. The European Commission has put forward a delegated regulation that, pending a one-month scrutiny by the European Parliament and member states, would remove the United Arab Emirates from the bloc’s “high‑risk” list under the Fourth Anti‑Money Laundering Directive. Simultaneously, Algeria and Lebanon—alongside eight others—will be newly classified as jurisdictions with “strategic deficiencies” in their national AML and counter‑terrorism financing frameworks.

The UAE, delisted in tandem with Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal and Uganda, has undergone a sequence of reforms aimed at strengthening judicial oversight, regulatory compliance, and enforcement against illicit financial flows. Its exit from the FATF’s grey list in February 2024 marked the start of a broader crackdown that included the creation of specialised courts for financial crimes and a succession of heavy penalties—most recently, a ₫3.3 million fine imposed by the Central Bank on multiple currency exchange houses for compliance violations.

In Brussels, Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque emphasised that the overhaul aligns with global standards and is based on rigorous evaluations involving FATF findings, bilateral dialogues and onsite assessments. The process reflects a broader ambition to shore up the integrity of Europe’s financial system by enforcing transparency and curbing illicit financial flows.

The inclusion of Algeria, Lebanon, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Laos, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela signals rising concern about governance standards in these jurisdictions. Algeria’s entry follows high-profile anti-corruption prosecutions and its low standing in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Lebanon’s designation reflects ongoing socioeconomic volatility and persistent finance networks linked to non-state armed actors.

Monaco, already on the FATF grey list since mid‑2024, was also added to the EU’s high‑risk list despite its recent enhancements to its financial intelligence unit and AML supervisor. The Commission acknowledged its progress while noting unresolved weaknesses.

The dynamics surrounding the UAE’s delisting, however, are not without controversy. Previously, the European Parliament blocked the move, echoing concerns voiced by Transparency International, citing insufficient progress. Opposition is noted to persist among MEPs, particularly from Spain and its stance on Gibraltar, complicating consensus.

From an economic standpoint, the delistings carry tangible incentives. Banks and financial institutions across the EU will scale back enhanced due diligence on transactions linked to the UAE, reducing compliance burdens and speeding up capital flows. Analysts suggest this could enhance foreign investment, signalling confidence in the UAE’s reputation as a global financial hub and factoring into ongoing free-trade negotiations with the EU.

Despite the acknowledged legislative reforms in the UAE, dissent persists. German Green MEP Rasmus Andresen criticised the move as premature, warning that regulatory gaps remain that could be exploited for illicit financial activities. Commission spokespersons framed the update as technical, decoupled from trade ambitions, though the timing follows the launch of EU–UAE trade negotiations in April.

On the other side, proponents speak of a “reputational course correction” for the UAE, part of a sweeping strategy since 2022 that included legislative overhauls, enforcement operations and judicial mechanisms to reinforce compliance with FATF standards.

Should no objections arise during the legislative review, the updated list will come into force in late July. Transaction oversight requirements across EU financial institutions will adjust accordingly, with the UAE reclassified and new protocols applying to the newly added jurisdictions.

The five-year acceleration in user activity reflects a maturing market that has gradually moved from speculative volatility toward widespread utility and integrated applications. Analysts link this exponential climb not only to rising asset prices but also to expanding real-world use cases and adoption in emerging markets where crypto offers alternatives to unstable fiat currencies or limited banking access.

Between 2020 and 2021, crypto markets experienced a spike in retail investor interest as Bitcoin and Ethereum reached new price highs. But the subsequent years saw a more diversified set of contributors to active user growth. These included Layer-2 solutions that reduced transaction costs, central bank scrutiny that validated digital assets as long-term economic factors, and increased capital flows into decentralised applications that are now used for lending, trading, and payments.

The upswing has also been aided by a shift in demographics. Users between the ages of 18 and 35 continue to dominate, but there is a discernible rise in users over 50 participating in digital asset portfolios through robo-advisors and automated wealth apps. Fintech platforms have played a central role in onboarding new users, offering wallet services directly within traditional mobile banking interfaces, especially in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Regulatory tailwinds have also contributed to this surge. After years of ambiguity, several governments began laying out clearer frameworks for crypto usage and taxation. The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, now in force, has created greater legal clarity for wallet providers and stablecoin issuers. Meanwhile, jurisdictions such as Singapore, the UAE, and Hong Kong have developed regulatory sandboxes that attract developers without compromising on compliance. The clarity around Know-Your-Customer norms and licensing requirements has encouraged institutional custodians and payment processors to enter the space, further legitimising its growth.

Daily active wallet addresses, which measure unique addresses interacting with blockchain networks, are now being driven by utility rather than speculation. Decentralised social media platforms, blockchain-based gaming, and metaverse transactions contribute heavily to user engagement. On-chain metrics show that average wallet-to-wallet transactions have grown in both frequency and diversity, indicating a broader shift from holding digital assets to actively using them.

Stablecoins remain a major catalyst. With daily transaction volumes frequently surpassing those of major card networks, these tokens are increasingly used for remittances, salaries, and cross-border commerce. Businesses in Argentina, Nigeria, and the Philippines now routinely accept stablecoins to hedge against inflation and currency volatility. Dollar-pegged tokens such as USDT and USDC remain dominant, but a new wave of regionally anchored stablecoins linked to the euro, yen, and dirham are gaining traction.

This growth has coincided with new product launches by global crypto service providers. Coinbase, Binance, and OKX have all introduced wallet products tailored for mobile-first users, while decentralised apps like MetaMask and Trust Wallet have streamlined onboarding by integrating fiat-to-crypto gateways and social recovery features. Wallet-as-a-service solutions have also proliferated, allowing e-commerce platforms and loyalty programmes to integrate tokenised rewards and payments.

However, the expansion hasn’t been without setbacks. Security breaches and phishing attacks continue to pose significant threats, especially on mobile wallets lacking robust encryption or biometric safeguards. In 2024 alone, more than $600 million was reportedly lost to wallet-targeted hacks. This has forced wallet providers to enhance security protocols and increase user education around seed phrase storage and recovery mechanisms.

The surge in user activity also raises questions about scalability and environmental impact. Ethereum’s successful shift to a proof-of-stake consensus has alleviated some concerns, reducing energy consumption by over 99 percent, but congestion on other chains like Solana and BNB Smart Chain persists during peak usage periods. Developers are now turning to zero-knowledge rollups and modular chain architectures to manage the growing demand without compromising on decentralisation or throughput.

Investment in wallet infrastructure has sharply increased, with venture funding in crypto wallet startups exceeding $2.5 billion over the past year. Several firms are focusing on embedded crypto solutions that operate invisibly behind e-commerce and payment interfaces, enabling crypto usage without requiring users to understand blockchain mechanics. This backend integration has become crucial to onboarding the next 100 million users, according to fintech consultants.

On the macroeconomic front, crypto wallets are increasingly being viewed as components of digital identity. National digital currency trials in countries like Brazil and India are exploring hybrid models that link sovereign wallets to decentralised ones, potentially enabling programmable money systems that maintain user agency while complying with monetary policy.

As blockchain integration deepens across sectors, from healthcare to real estate, wallet functionality is expanding beyond currency storage. New generations of wallets offer token-gated access, voting rights in decentralised autonomous organisations, and certification for digital credentials. These features are pushing crypto adoption beyond financial speculation into everyday life.

Dubai Police has achieved the highest possible worldwide ranking in policing reputation, securing a prestigious AAA+ rating and a score of 9.2 out of 10 in the Brand Finance Institutional Brand Value Index. This accolade eclipsed law enforcement agencies across ten countries, drawing on insights from over 8,000 stakeholders and institutions. The evaluation focused on core measures such as professionalism, integrity, effectiveness, fairness and transparency, marking a clear leadership position for the force.

Public perception placed Dubai Police well above global averages in eleven reputation metrics. In categories like safety and security assurance, fair treatment of individuals, commitment and integrity, and ethical conduct, the force significantly outperformed its peers. Excellence was also noted in professional engagement, field performance, innovation in crime prevention, and its presence on social media.

This endorsement builds on the findings of Brand Finance’s National Brand Report, placing Dubai Police at a brand valuation of AED 57.9 billion. The contribution made by the force represents a sizeable portion of the UAE’s total national brand value, estimated at AED 4.48 trillion. Brand Finance highlighted how the institution’s reputation enhances the country’s soft power, improving perceptions of Dubai and the UAE as preferred destinations for tourism, investment and residency.

Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander‑in‑Chief of Dubai Police, credited the recognition to visionary guidance from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice‑President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He said, “This recognition reflects the trust placed in police institutions across the UAE and highlights Dubai Police’s commitment to public safety, wellbeing, and quality of life.” He described the achievement as the result of “visionary leadership and an unwavering pursuit of excellence”, pointing to the force’s transition into a forward‑thinking, intelligent and sustainable policing model.

A variety of strategic initiatives have driven this transformation. Smart Police Stations, the SWAT Challenge, e‑sports tournaments and the Esaad programme are among the flagship projects cited. The adoption of artificial intelligence for crime prediction and the roll‑out of Smart Police Stations reflect a commitment to modernising public service delivery. Community engagement and outreach efforts have also improved trust between citizens and law enforcement.

David Haigh, CEO and Chairman of Brand Finance, highlighted the link between perception and influence: “Perceptions drive behaviour. The Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index is the world’s largest study of soft power perceptions.” The institute used existing city and nation brand metrics as a foundation, supplemented with a bespoke public survey to assess the force across ten global markets.

Dubai Police outperformed global benchmarks in key areas:

* Safety and security assurance: 67%
* Effective duty performance: 64%
* Strong operational field presence: 63%
* Transparent communication: 51%
* Modern, progressive development: 54%

These figures confirm the force’s positioning as both a law enforcement body and an instrument of national branding and soft power.

The emphasis on innovative service delivery through digital channels and media engagement also featured prominently in the assessment. Dubai Police maintains an active digital footprint, using platforms such as Twitter and Instagram to foster transparency and proactive public communication.

Stakeholders from government and community sectors described the force’s branding as inclusive and human‑centric, praising its alignment with universal values—justice, innovation and transparency—and its ability to humanise policing.

Brand Finance’s report also quantified the economic impact of reputation. Dubai Police’s brand contributes an estimated AED 57.9 billion to the UAE’s soft power value, reinforcing the UAE’s attractiveness on the global stage.

Ripple’s US dollar-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD, has secured regulatory approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority , authorising its use within the Dubai International Financial Centre . This development enables RLUSD to be integrated into Ripple’s DFSA-licensed payments platform and utilised by other DFSA-registered entities operating in the DIFC.

The approval positions RLUSD among a select group of stablecoins recognised under the DFSA’s crypto token regime, which includes Circle’s USDC and EURC. RLUSD is designed for enterprise use, offering features such as 1:1 USD backing with high-quality liquid assets, segregated reserves, third-party audits, and clear redemption rights. It is issued under a New York Department of Financial Services Trust Company Charter, subjecting it to stringent regulatory standards.

Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, noted the growing interest from businesses in the UAE for cross-border payments and digital asset custody solutions. He emphasised the dynamic nature of the UAE’s digital economy and expressed optimism about RLUSD’s role in facilitating real-time, cost-effective international transactions.

Ripple is collaborating with local partners, including digital bank Zand and fintech platform Mamo, who are expected to be early adopters of RLUSD. Additionally, RLUSD will support the Dubai Land Department’s initiative to tokenize real estate title deeds on the XRP Ledger, aiming to digitize and record property ownership using blockchain technology.

The DFSA’s recognition of RLUSD follows Ripple’s earlier approval to offer blockchain-powered payment solutions within the DIFC, obtained in March. This dual approval allows Ripple to integrate RLUSD into its global payment services in Dubai and the UAE, while also enabling other DFSA-licensed firms in the region to incorporate the stablecoin into their offerings.

Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, stated that the DFSA’s approval validates RLUSD as a trusted and compliant stablecoin built for global business. He highlighted the stablecoin’s potential to bring value across payments, decentralised finance , and real-world asset tokenization.

Solana Foundation has formalised a partnership with Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority , marking a significant step in integrating blockchain innovation within the emirate’s regulatory framework. The Memorandum of Understanding , signed on 3 June 2025, outlines collaborative initiatives aimed at fostering a robust crypto ecosystem in Dubai.

Central to this alliance is the establishment of the Solana Economic Zone in Dubai, envisioned as a hub for developers, entrepreneurs, and startups operating on the Solana blockchain. This zone is designed to provide access to Dubai’s progressive regulatory environment, including sandboxes and talent networks, positioning the city as an attractive destination for international Web3 projects.

The partnership encompasses talent development programs, regulatory workshops, ecosystem research, and market insight sharing. Solana Foundation and VARA plan to co-host events, offer policy guidance, and support Solana-based startups in or relocating to Dubai. An integral component of the agreement is the sharing of anonymised data to evaluate the impact of digital assets on employment and economic growth within the UAE.

Lily Liu, President of Solana Foundation, emphasised the strategic importance of this collaboration, stating that it represents a new chapter for Solana in the MENA region. She highlighted Dubai’s leadership in regulating and fostering digital assets, noting that the partnership bridges builders and regulators in one of the fastest-growing crypto hubs globally.

Henson Orser, CEO of VARA, welcomed the collaboration, reinforcing the authority’s commitment to building a future-forward economy powered by innovation, trust, and inclusion. He acknowledged the potential of the Solana Economic Zone to attract international projects seeking to scale operations under a progressive regulatory framework.

The announcement has had a positive impact on Solana’s market performance. Following the news, the SOL token experienced a modest increase, trading around $160, with a 4% rise observed on the day of the announcement. Market analysts interpret this as a bullish signal for Solana’s long-term outlook, reflecting growing confidence in the ecosystem and broader adoption.

Dubai Future District Fund has reported securing over $1.65 billion in capital commitments and supporting more than 190 startups, marking a significant milestone in its mission to bolster the emirate’s innovation ecosystem.

Anchored by the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Dubai Future Foundation , DFDF unveiled these achievements at its Annual General Meeting, reflecting its alignment with Dubai’s economic vision and commitment to fostering a resilient innovation landscape.

In 2024, DFDF expanded its portfolio through direct investments and 12 Fund of Funds initiatives, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda to advance technology, talent, and venture capital in the region.

His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Chairman of DFDF’s Board and CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, emphasized the fund’s role in driving the growth of Dubai’s digital economy, highlighting its focus on innovation and future technologies across key sectors.

Beyond capital allocation, DFDF engaged in strategic partnerships with entities like Dubai Land Department and Dubai Health, exploring innovation collaborations that align government priorities with startup-driven solutions.

Nader Albastaki, Managing Director at DFDF, noted that 2024 was pivotal for the fund, scaling investments and supporting innovators driving meaningful change. He expressed enthusiasm for 2025, designated as the Year of the Community, focusing on deeper collaboration and ecosystem resilience.

DFDF’s investment strategy involves deploying capital into venture capital funds with a local focus and directly into startups, aiming to boost venture capital investing and business activity in Dubai and the region.

The fund’s commitment to sustainability was underscored by allocating up to 20% of its AED 1 billion fund to climate technology and innovation, aligning with the UAE’s broader vision for economic diversification and sustainable development.

Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority and DFDF Board Member, highlighted the fund’s dedication to driving growth and supporting sustainability-focused tech ventures, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in cultivating innovation.

DFDF’s efforts contribute to Dubai’s ambition to establish itself as a global technology and innovation hub, reinforcing its position as a premier destination for global talent and entrepreneurship.