World Liberty received $100 million from businessman investigated for money laundering: NYT
The businessman, Guren "Bobby" Zhou, has not been charged, though British officials told the Times that the investigation remained active as of late July.
World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency project affiliated with the Trump family, received a $100 million investment from Guren "Bobby" Zhou, a businessman currently under investigation by British authorities for alleged money laundering, according to a report published by The New York Times. Zhou has not been formally charged in connection with the investigation, though British officials confirmed to the Times that the probe remained active as of late July 2026.
World Liberty Financial launched in late 2024 and has positioned itself as a decentralized finance platform with prominent backing from Donald Trump and members of his family. The project has attracted significant institutional and private investment since its inception, though it has also faced ongoing scrutiny over the nature of its investor relationships and the due diligence processes applied to large contributors.
The revelation raises fresh compliance and reputational questions for crypto projects accepting large, unvetted private investments, particularly those with political affiliations. Regulatory observers note that the case underscores broader industry concerns around anti-money laundering standards and the vetting of high-value token purchasers, especially as U.S. and international regulators continue to tighten oversight of digital asset fundraising.
Attention will likely turn to whether World Liberty Financial issues a formal response regarding its due diligence procedures around Zhou's investment, and whether U.S. authorities pursue any related inquiry of their own following the British investigation's disclosure.
Source: The Block
