In a recent development surrounding President Donald Trump’s World Liberty Financial crypto venture, a relatively obscure entity known as Aqua 1 Foundation has emerged as the largest publicly reported investor.
Announcing its acquisition of $100 million in World Liberty’s crypto tokens in late June, Aqua 1 has raised eyebrows due to the alleged lack of transparency surrounding its origins and the identity of its founding partner, Dave Lee.
Aqua 1’s Crypto Purchase
A review by Reuters reveals scant information about Aqua 1 Foundation. Despite claiming to be based in the United Arab Emirates, the firm’s digital presence is minimal, and attempts to contact Lee directly have been unsuccessful.
A press release issued by Aqua 1, which appeared as sponsored content on Reuters.com, mentioned a media contact named Dora Lee but provided little else.
In response to inquiries, the company stated that it would not disclose further details beyond what has already been made public, emphasizing that Aqua 1 is backed by a group of experienced partners in web3 and digital asset infrastructure.
The financial implications of Aqua 1’s investment are significant, as the Trump family reportedly receives 75% of all token proceeds from World Liberty. This means Aqua 1’s purchase has likely enriched the Trumps by tens of millions of dollars.
Since the launch of the crypto platform last fall, the Trump family has reportedly earned around $500 million from World Liberty, according to Reuters calculations.
In light of this, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly assured that President Trump, while advocating for a pro-crypto agenda, has taken measures to distance himself from potential conflicts of interest by placing his assets in a trust managed by his children.
However, the lack of transparency surrounding Aqua 1 and its investors has drawn criticism from political rivals and ethics experts.
Lack Of Transparency In Trump’s Deal?
Richard Painter, a former chief ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, expressed concern that the ambiguous nature of such investments undermines public trust in government.
He stressed the importance of knowing the identities of those financing the president’s ventures, stating, “Everybody assumes the worst” regarding foreign influence.
Aqua 1 describes itself on its website as a “Web3-native fund” with a global perspective, aiming to invest in blockchain and crypto projects that contribute to a decentralized internet.
Yet, its registration status raises questions, as the firm does not appear in regulatory databases for crypto funds in the UAE, including the Abu Dhabi Global Market or the Dubai International Finance Centre.
The firm’s investment history is also sparse. Data from crypto tracker Arkham indicates that the only substantial outgoing transactions from an associated wallet were two transfers totaling $80 million to World Liberty in early June.
Featured image from CNBC, chart from TradingView.com
