The order, one of Beijing’s strongest moves yet against a foreign purchase of a Chinese tech company, came on Monday from China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which said foreign investment in Manus would be prohibited under Chinese law, and the deal must be unwound.

Beijing is now concentrating on AI talent, software and intellectual property, and areas once taken over by chip restrictions now include artificial intelligence, as competition between China and the United States gets stronger

Chinese authorities began examining the acquisition in January, shortly after Meta completed the purchase in December. The review later intensified, and in March, Manus co-founders Xiao Hong and Ji Yichao were reportedly called to Beijing for talks with regulators and then barred from leaving China.

Neither founder publicly responded to requests for comment.

Meta has also not issued a public response.

Manus had drawn attention in China after launching what it described as a general AI agent in 2025. State-backed media had commended the company as a possible successor to DeepSeek, one of China’s most-watched AI firms.

Unlike model developers who build large language systems from scratch, Manus focused on agent software designed to complete multi-step tasks with limited human input. These tasks include coding, research and workflow automation.

Before the takeover, Manus raised $75 million in funding led by Benchmark in May 2025.

The company later shut its China offices and moved operations to Singapore, where its parent company, Butterfly Effect, was restructured. That move was seen as an attempt to attract foreign capital while easing both U.S. and Chinese restrictions.

Chinese regulators now appear determined to challenge that route.

The practice, sometimes called “Singapore washing”, involves Chinese-founded startups shifting legal structures or operations abroad while keeping roots in China. The latest development with Beijing reveals that strategy may no longer guarantee protection from investigations.

Startups moving overseas may not be enough as authorities may now demand proof of where management is headquartered, where research is done, where data is stored and who controls the company’s technology.

The China ruling could also create some problems for Meta, as some Manus staff had already moved into Meta’s Singapore offices, while parts of the startup’s work were reportedly being integrated into Meta projects.

Any reversal may now require separating teams, contracts and technology already tied together.

This is coming weeks before a planned summit in Beijing between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in mid-May.

That meeting was expected to cover trade and technology tensions, but this issue now adds another case.

China has previously criticised foreign-linked deals involving strategic assets, but forcing the breakup of a completed transaction is rare.

China does not want core AI assets leaving its reach, no matter where a company later relocates.

The post China Orders Meta to Reverse $2bn Deal for AI Startup Manus appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

United States President Donald Trump, Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, and Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote have been named among the 100 most influential people in 2026 underscoring their continued impact on global markets, policy, and leadership discourse.

The list, released on April 15, recognises individuals shaping global discourse across business, politics, technology, and culture.

Dangote and Trump were alongside prominent figures such as Xi Jinping, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mark Carney, and Pope Leo XIV, as well as business and technology leaders, including Sundar Pichai and Neal Mohan.

Dangote, who featured in the Titans category, is the only Nigerian on the 2026 list, though not the only African. Other Africans recognised include Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Precious Matsoso, Anok Yai, Mamadou Amadou Ly, and Zabib Musa Loro, reflecting broader African representation across leadership, health, culture, education, and peacebuilding.

This marks Dangote’s second appearance on the TIME100 list, having first been honoured in 2014 for his impact on business and philanthropy. His return more than a decade later shows the consistency and scale of his global influence.

As founder of Africa’s largest indigenous industrial conglomerate, Dangote has driven investments across cement manufacturing, sugar refining, fertiliser production, agriculture, and infrastructure, with a recent expansion into energy.

These investments have significantly reduced reliance on imports while creating jobs and strengthening local production capacity across the continent.

In its citation, TIME highlighted Dangote’s long-term vision of building globally competitive industries using African resources, pointing to his large-scale investments in manufacturing and energy infrastructure as central to Africa’s economic transformation.

Other notable figures in the Titans category include Reid Wiseman, Commander of the Artemis II mission; Sundar Pichai; Neal Mohan; Michael and Susan Dell, founders of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; and Ralph Lauren, founder of the Ralph Lauren Corporation.

In the Pioneer category, individuals recognised for breakthroughs in science and social advocacy include Kiran Musunuru and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas for advances in genetic therapy, as well as Aaron Williams for contributions to heart transplant readiness.

The list also features influential figures in global entertainment and culture, such as Ranbir Kapoor, Dakota Johnson, and Kate Hudson, recognised for their impact in film and broader cultural influence.

Beyond his business achievements, Dangote is widely regarded for his philanthropic leadership through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, one of Africa’s largest private foundations, which supports initiatives in healthcare, nutrition, education, disaster relief, and economic empowerment.

The 2026 recognition also comes as the Dangote Group advances its long-term growth strategy, Vision 2030, aimed at transforming the conglomerate from a $30bn regional player into a $100bn global enterprise. The roadmap is structured in phases, with the first phase spanning 2025 to 2028, focused on scaling existing businesses in cement, fertiliser, and energy, while optimising assets for global competitiveness.

The second phase, covering 2028 to 2030, is expected to drive expansion into new sectors and international markets, including planned investments in steel manufacturing, power generation, and deep-sea ports to address critical industrial gaps across Africa.

The latest TIME recognition reflects growing global acknowledgement of African leadership and enterprise, with Dangote standing out for industrial scale, while other African honourees highlight influence across governance, public health, education, culture, and peacebuilding.

The post Trump, Sundar Pichai, Dangote Named in TIME 100 Most Influential People\ appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The White House said the “Ratepayer Protection Pledge,” first announced in Trump’s State of the Union Address, will see tech firms commit to measures ensuring that growth in AI infrastructure does not increase utility expenses for households and small businesses.

Sources familiar with the plan said the pledge may include commitments from companies to pay for upgrades to power delivery systems and to negotiate special electricity rates with utilities.

These tech firms are investing billions in AI computing capacity, which consumes large amounts of electricity.

Trump has urged companies to build or secure dedicated power capacity instead of relying solely on regional grids. This is intended to balance technological competitiveness with concerns over energy costs.

Jon Gordon, director at Advanced Energy United, warned that the plan might not ease stress on electricity grids quickly. “The real problem is the inability to get generation online fast enough to meet the data centre demand,” he said. “Hyperscalers paying for the generation doesn’t get it online any faster.”

Lawmakers and consumer groups have called for stronger protections to prevent utility bill increases linked to data centre build-outs.

The post Trump to Meet Tech Leaders Over Electricity Costs Linked to AI Data Centres appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

“We live in a world in which you can talk about international niceties and everything else,” deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told my colleague Jake Tapper recently. “But we live in a world, the real world … that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power,” he continued. “These are the iron laws of the world.”

From Caracas, Copenhagen, and Kiev, to Brussels, Bogota, Jerusalem, and Johannesburg, via Tehran, Ottawa, Mexico City, and beyond, this second ‘America First’ term is redefining the boundaries of American power and how it might be exercised.

“There is one thing: my own morality, my own mind.  It’s the only thing that can stop me,” Trump told the New York Times last week. “I don’t need international law.” Based on his administration’s recent actions, from the audacious capture of Nicolás Maduro to renewed threats to take Greenland by whatever means necessary, few believe he is not serious.

Eight years ago, Donald Trump strode into the Congress Hall at Davos to unbecoming gushes and gawps from delegates overcome by his celebrity, craning their necks for a glimpse of him.

This was an exclusive club of which he was never part, and one which would never previously have dreamed of welcoming him in such a way.  Now he was the center of attention, and he clearly reveled in it.

Back then, the WEF rolled out the red carpet more in hope than expectation, and Trump just about concealed his disdain for its elitist, intellectual trappings.

America was “open for business”, he told them. Yes, it would still be America First, but “not America alone.”  On the surface it was a surprisingly inclusive message.

Oh, how things have changed. Exactly how to welcome this most unpredictable of house guests into the halls of the WEF’s globalist cathedral now is anyone’s guess.

Davos is the very embodiment of “international niceties”. The foundations upon which it is built – a vision of dialogue and stakeholder capitalism and a ‘commitment to improving the state of the world’ – are shaking like never before.

As if that wasn’t enough, the WEF itself is already creaking under pressure of its own making.  Klaus Schwab, its founder and executive chairman, departed last year amid allegations of misconduct raised by anonymous whistleblowers.

An internal investigation found no evidence of material wrongdoing, but the episode was an embarrassing one for an organization facing persistent questions over its relevance.

The WEF maintains that Davos offers a unique opportunity for decision makers from multiple perspectives to collaborate, and to some extent that is true; but in the current climate the idea that it can also effect change seems absurdly unrealistic, especially when faced with a guest of honour who could easily come to dinner to unapologetically smash the crockery and pocket the silverware on his way out.

All of this begs an obvious question: if Davos is truly irrelevant, then why is Trump bothering to head up into the Swiss Alps at all?

Based on his last visit, there is no doubt that he will get attention, and any longtime observer will tell you that alone can be incentive enough for Mr. Trump.

He could simply take the opportunity to rub delegates noses in their impotence, expand the ‘Donroe doctrine’, and remind everyone that if they want a deal, they must get it on his terms – or else.

But there is also some evidence to suggest that America should be courting some of the still-powerful power brokers padding around the deep pile carpets of the Davos Congress Centre.

Ken Fisher, founder and executive chair of Fisher Investments, reminded me last week that 2025 was a better year for business outside of America than in it, while the three years prior were better for those in the United States.

“This is a world where the world’s doing business around America, and sometimes in America,” he told me.  “But the rest of the world is what’s leading the capital markets, not the United States.”

Trump is also facing hardening political realities at home.  Every U.S. president looks to the Midterms with a sense of dread, and Trump’s approval ratings are languishing behind his bluster.

Cracks are also beginning to appear in his once rock-solid MAGA Republican coalition, partly over issues such as the administration’s handling of the Epstein files, but also because of a stubborn affordability crisis and bewilderment in some quarters over recent foreign policy adventures.

He is also now in open warfare with a Fed that suddenly appears happy to fight him head-on.

Whisper it, but Trump may need friends in the international community more than he’d care to admit.  If the president is not to discover far more straightforward limits to his power than his own mind come November’s elections, he will need some economic wins that tariffs and saber-rattling are unlikely to deliver.

Of course, he is not above coercion to get a deal done, and as we have seen this month, he is willing to back those words – at least on occasion, with decisive and controversial action.

Whatever happens, Trump’s approach to Davos next week will be fascinating to observe. Most significantly, it could provide a clear vision of a new kind of Trumpian Pax Americana, at least until that changes again.

It would also be deeply ironic if this most anti-globalist president provides a shot in the arm for one of globalism’s most famous – and infamous – institutions.

This oddest of couples might actually be made for one another.

Follow Richard Quest and CNN’s coverage of Davos on CNN International and CNN.com

The post As Trump Turns the World on its Head, Davos Braces for Impact appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

This results from delays that leave the public in doubt of the company’s promises and its place in an already crowded market.

Trump Mobile’s customer service team has told the Financial Times that the recent U.S. government shutdown disrupted shipments, adding there was a “strong possibility” the handset would not be delivered this month. 

That admission is the clearest sign that the device, unveiled in June, is still far from ready.

Trump Mobile was launched after the Trump family business licensed its name for a new mobile service and a $499 smartphone known as the T1. 

Presented as a patriotic alternative to mainstream brands, the phone was pitched as a gold-accented, U.S.-assembled device. Months on, key details are still unanswered, including who is building it and where critical components are coming from.

Rather than shipping the promised handset, the company has begun directing customers towards refurbished phones. Its website continues to take $100 pre-booking fees for the T1 and still points to delivery within the year, despite issues around production.

At the heart of the offering is not a new network but a resale arrangement. Trump Mobile operates as a mobile virtual network operator, using T-Mobile’s infrastructure under what it calls the “47 Plan”, priced at $47.45 per month. 

The branding leans heavily on political identity, a strategy familiar from other Trump-linked ventures.

The delays also expose a structural problem. The United States has little domestic smartphone manufacturing capacity. 

Nearly every handset sold in the country is made overseas, mainly in China, South Korea, and increasingly in India and Vietnam. Promising a home-assembled phone in that context was always going to be difficult.

The market offers little margin for error. Apple and Samsung top U.S. smartphone sales, leaving limited space for newcomers without scale, supply chains, or technical differentiation. 

For Trump Mobile, appeal appears to rest more on loyalty and symbolism than on hardware innovation.

The company did not respond to requests for comment on the delays or on the shift towards refurbished devices. 

For now, the gold phone remains a concept rather than a product, and the gap between the promise and the delivery is becoming harder to ignore.

The post Trump Mobile Delays Gold Smartphone as Shipment Plans Falter appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

In a post on his social media page, Trump stated: “With this TRUTH, I put all Countries with Digital Taxes, Legislation, Rules, or Regulations, on notice that unless these discriminatory actions are removed, I, as President of the United States, will impose substantial additional Tariffs on that Country’s Exports to the U.S.A., and institute Export restrictions on our Highly Protected Technology and Chips.”

Trump argues that DSTs are designed to harm American technology firms, while allowing Chinese competitors to avoid similar treatment. His position revives an old fault line between Washington and its allies. 

During his first term, he had also threatened countries such as Canada and France with tariffs for pursuing similar tax regimes. In February this year, he ordered U.S. trade officials to reopen investigations into countries levying DSTs against U.S. tech giants.

Over 20 nations, including France, Spain, Italy, India, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, have introduced DSTs ranging between 2% and 7.5% of gross revenue from digital advertising, marketplaces, and user data monetisation. These policies primarily affect firms such as Google, Meta, Apple, and Amazon, which dominate the global digital economy.

While proponents argue that DSTs ensure fair taxation of multinational platforms profiting from their markets, the U.S. government sees them as discriminatory. Officials believe they tilt the playing field against American companies while giving an advantage to rivals, particularly those from China.

Beyond DSTs, the United States has grown more wary of the European Union’s landmark digital regulations, the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DSA, enforced in 2024, compels platforms to remove illegal content, boost transparency, and share data with regulators. 

The DMA aims to curb anti-competitive behaviour by major “gatekeepers” such as Google and Apple, forcing them to open up their platforms and reduce self-preferencing.

Washington interprets these moves as non-tariff trade barriers. Reports state that Trump’s team has even considered sanctions on EU officials responsible for enforcing the laws, a step that could further strain the $1.7 trillion transatlantic trade relationship.

Trump’s latest warning goes beyond tariffs as he also threatened to restrict exports of advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence chips, a measure that could disrupt supply chains worldwide. Companies like Nvidia, which play a central role in AI development, could be caught in the crossfire.

The U.S. and EU conduct more than $4.2 billion in trade daily, and a recent agreement capped U.S. tariffs on most European goods at 15%. Introducing new tariffs or export controls would escalate tensions and risk retaliation from allies.

Efforts to resolve the tax dispute at the multilateral level have also faltered. The OECD has been pushing for a global framework to replace DSTs with a uniform system for taxing multinational profits. However, the U.S. remains resistant, fearing it would lose its own taxation rights under the proposed arrangement.

With both sides unwilling to compromise, the digital tax fight appears set to intensify. Trump’s latest threat raises the prospect of a trade confrontation both with rivals, and with long-standing allies who see DSTs as a matter of fairness in the digital economy.

The post Trump Threatens Tariffs, Export Restrictions on Countries with Digital Taxes appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

U.S. shares rose 7% on Thursday, with a further 2.6% gain after hours, while Frankfurt-listed shares climbed 3.6% on Friday. Investors are betting that government backing could provide much-needed stability for the struggling chipmaker.

The potential investment was first reported by Bloomberg, noting discussions that followed an 11 August meeting between President Donald Trump and Intel’s Chief Executive Officer, Lip-Bu Tan. 

The talks reportedly focused on how Washington could accelerate domestic semiconductor manufacturing, with the delayed Ohio mega-fab project expected to be a central part of the plan.

The development comes amid one of Intel’s most challenging periods in decades. The company posted a $2.9 billion net loss in the second quarter of 2025, driven by $1.9 billion in severance costs and $800 million in asset impairments. 

A restructuring plan has seen 25,000 jobs cut and major chip fabrication projects in Germany, Poland, and Ohio scrapped or delayed.

Trump’s involvement with Intel has been far from smooth. Days before the reported stake talks, he called for Tan to resign over what he described as “highly conflicted” ties to Chinese firms. 

His comments followed a letter from Senator Tom Cotton, alleging Tan’s investments in over 100 Chinese technology companies, including at least eight linked to the People’s Liberation Army.

Tan’s past leadership of Cadence Design Systems has also resurfaced in political debate. In July 2025, the company admitted to illegally exporting chip design software to a Chinese military university, paying $140 million in fines.

Despite political issues, Intel aims to continue cooperating with the White House. “Intel is deeply committed to supporting President Trump’s efforts to strengthen U.S. technology and manufacturing leadership,” a company spokesperson said. 

“We look forward to continuing our work with the Trump Administration to advance these shared priorities, but we are not going to comment on rumours or speculation.”

Tan has also made it apparent that there will be no return to unchecked spending. “There are no more blank cheques. Every investment must make economic sense,” he said.

Intel has already secured nearly $8 billion in federal subsidies through the CHIPS and Science Act, placing it among the largest beneficiaries of U.S. semiconductor funding.

Analysts suggest a direct government stake could help stabilise Intel’s finances and restore competitiveness against rivals Nvidia, AMD, and TSMC.

The post Intel Shares Jump as Trump Administration Considers Taking Stake appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Sources told The Wall Street Journal that the discussion will be wide-ranging, with Tan expected to share details of his personal and professional history, as well as outline proposals for closer cooperation between Intel and the U.S. government. 

The visit comes at a time when tensions between the White House and the semiconductor giant have escalated.

Trump’s intervention last week was unusual, even by Washington standards. On 7 August, he declared Tan “highly conflicted” because of his ties to Chinese firms, adding there was “no other solution to this problem” but his resignation. 

The statement triggered issues among investors and industry analysts, given Intel’s central role in America’s semiconductor and defence supply chains.

Part of the controversy comes from earlier revelations. In April, Reuters reported that Tan had invested at least $200 million in hundreds of Chinese advanced manufacturing and chip companies, some allegedly linked to the Chinese military. 

The disclosure fuelled security concerns, especially as Intel receives billions of dollars in federal subsidies under the CHIPS Act.

Tan’s career history has also attracted some questions. From 2008 to December 2021, he served as CEO of Cadence Design Systems, a chip design software firm. During that time, Cadence sold products to a Chinese military university reportedly involved in nuclear simulation research. Last month, Cadence agreed to plead guilty and pay over $140 million to settle U.S. charges related to those sales.

Since taking over Intel in March 2025, Tan has faced enormous challenges. The company reported an $18.8 billion net loss in 2024 and a $2.9 billion loss in the second quarter of 2025. 

His response has been drastic, announcing 25,000 job cuts, cancelling multiple factory projects, and acknowledging that Intel was “too late” to compete in AI training chips. Tan has adopted what he calls a policy of “brutal honesty” and declared “no more blank checks” for speculative ventures.

In a statement following Trump’s remarks, Tan said he shared the president’s commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security. Monday’s meeting will test whether that commitment is enough to secure his position, and determine if Intel can maintain its strategic standing in the U.S. chip sector at a time of growing geopolitical rivalry.

The post Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan to Meet Trump After Resignation Demand Over China Ties appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The accusation, which was posted Thursday on Trump’s social media platform, has left the tech and political sectors in shock, increasing evaluation on one of America’s most strategically important chipmakers.

“The CEO of INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem. Thank you for your attention to this problem!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump offered no specific evidence to back his claim, but his statements come in the wake of some Republican issues on the company. 

On Wednesday, Senator Tom Cotton had written to Intel’s board demanding clarity on Tan’s personal and professional ties to Chinese entities. 

Cotton’s letter raised red flags about Tan’s leadership at Cadence Design Systems—where tools were reportedly sold to a Chinese military-linked university—and his subsequent investments in Chinese tech firms through his venture capital arm, Walden International.

A Reuters report detailed that Tan had channeled over $200 million into various Chinese companies, with several reportedly linked to the country’s military or national security infrastructure. Cotton has questioned whether such entanglements are compatible with Intel’s receipt of federal funds under the CHIPS and Science Act.

“The new CEO of @intel reportedly has deep ties to the Chinese Communists. U.S. companies who receive government grants should be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and adhere to strict security regulations. The board of @Intel owes Congress an explanation,” Cotton posted on X, attaching his formal letter.

Tan, who assumed the role of CEO in March 2025, has been steering Intel through a major overhaul in the face of stiff competition from Nvidia, AMD, and TSMC. 

His tenure has so far involved aggressive cost-cutting: thousands of job losses, cancelled factory expansions, and efforts to offload non-core business units. His stated aim is to restore Intel’s reputation as a leader in chip engineering, a position it has steadily lost over the last decade.

But these leadership decisions now risk being overshadowed by the political fallout. Intel’s strategic importance to U.S. national security is significant. It is the single largest beneficiary under the CHIPS Act, with $8.5 billion earmarked for new manufacturing facilities across Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon. 

The controversy around Tan’s alleged links to China could compromise the company’s ability to maintain bipartisan confidence and secure future federal support.

Intel has not yet responded to multiple requests for comment on the matter. Tan himself has remained silent as calls for transparency mount.

Meanwhile, investors are reacting. Intel’s stock fell nearly 5% in premarket trading following Trump’s post, reflecting growing anxiety over potential leadership instability and the political issues surrounding the company. 

With Washington increasingly wary of Beijing’s influence in the tech supply chain, the timing of these revelations, whether substantiated or not, puts Intel in an uncomfortable spotlight.

The post Donald Trump Demands Resignation of Intel CEO Over Alleged China Ties appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

This decision now allows the tokens to be publicly bought and sold, which could significantly increase the Trump family’s earnings.

On July 9, 2025, World Liberty Financial (WLF), the Trump-affiliated crypto firm behind the $WLFI tokens, confirmed that 99.94% of roughly 20,900 token holders approved the proposal allowing their digital assets to be bought and sold openly on exchanges. 

This move, long anticipated by early investors, means a removal of restrictive governance to open market dynamics.

$WLFI tokens were initially sold in late 2024 without tradability rights. Instead, buyers were offered voting power over operational decisions, such as changes to WLF’s platform. 

The main attraction for investors was the Trump connection. Early holders saw potential profit not in the project itself, but in the anticipated price surge tied to Trump’s public association.

Now, that expectation inches closer to reality.

Although the exact value of the Trump family’s holdings is not known, public disclosures show the DT Marks DEFI LLC, Trump’s company, was originally allocated 22.5 billion out of 100 billion total tokens. As of December 2024, Trump personally held 15.75 billion tokens, according to his latest financial disclosure report.

World Liberty Financial itself has generated approximately $500 million for the Trump family since its inception, based on Reuters’ calculations derived from public documents, crypto transaction analyses, and the firm’s own terms. 

However, the future could be far more profitable. As the tokens enter open markets, Trump’s holdings could zoom into billions, depending on market demand.

Paolo, an investor based in Milan, who holds 95,000 $WLFI tokens, summed up the sentiment of many early backers: “I voted in favour of making the tokens tradeable and plan to hold until they reach $12. Then I try to buy more when the price drops.”

But the controversy here included arguments that Trump’s deep entanglement in the crypto sector represents more than just a financial venture. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Maxine Waters have called for immediate intervention by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), noting ethical red flags. 

In their letter to the SEC, they stated, “The Trump family’s financial stake in World Liberty Financial represents an unprecedented conflict of interest with the potential to influence the Trump Administration’s oversight—or lack thereof—of the cryptocurrency industry.”

The SEC has yet to classify $WLFI tokens as securities. This regulatory grey area effectively shields the project from oversight. Meanwhile, the White House maintains that Trump’s assets are locked in a trust managed by his children, denying any conflict of interest. 

However, details of that trust remain undisclosed. Critics note that the trust’s sole beneficiary is Trump himself, leading to concerns that the president could access proceeds from crypto ventures at any time, or upon leaving office.

Further complicating matters, World Liberty’s USD1 stablecoin, another product of Trump’s crypto empire, has reportedly been used in large-scale transactions involving Abu Dhabi investors, including a $2 billion investment in Binance. 

Security experts now question whether these ventures could serve as channels for foreign influence or illicit payments, particularly given significant investments from entities in the UAE and Hong Kong.

Chris Swartz, former ethics attorney under both Trump administrations, warned: “The American public should be very concerned about the president’s vested interests in the cryptocurrency market. Not only is it a potential conduit for foreign emoluments and other illicit payments, but it puts the president in competition against other cryptocurrency issuers at the same time he is advocating for digital asset marketplace legislation. That is a clear conflict of interest.”

The World Liberty team, perhaps in response to recent cases, has reduced the Trump family’s stake from 75% to 40% over the past six months. The company says this move promotes decentralisation and compliance with emerging U.S. standards for digital asset platforms.

While early investors will now be free to trade their tokens, the substantial holdings of Trump and other founders stays locked under a delayed release schedule, designed, according to the company, to signal long-term commitment. Implementation of the trading approval will occur “within a reasonable time,” World Liberty noted.

Asked how trading will commence and when, a company spokesperson provided only a vague assurance: “Additional details are forthcoming.”

As for the White House, when pressed by Reuters about the financial implications for Trump’s holdings, its response was: “This is not an inquiry for the White House.”

The post Trump’s $WLFI Crypto Tokens Approved for Public Trading, Boosting Family’s Earnings appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.