Warren Faults Trump-Linked Firm Over Crypto Ties

Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized World Liberty Financial after a report said a partner of the Trump family–linked crypto firm, a blockchain venture called AB, had connections to two men the U.S. sanctioned for alleged ties to the Prince Group. U.S. authorities have linked the Prince Group to crypto scam compounds and human trafficking in Cambodia.

The two men were identified as leaders of a planned blockchain-themed resort in Timor-Leste that had ties to AB. AB removed the men from the project and terminated a preliminary agreement with the resort after the sanctions were announced. Officials have not accused AB or World Liberty Financial of criminal conduct, and investigations found no indication that illicit funds flowed into the resort. The two men have not been charged.

In a post on X, Warren wrote, “As the Trump family puts themselves first, Congress needs to ensure that digital asset legislation protects our national security.” Her post reflected increased Democratic scrutiny of Republican-linked crypto ventures ahead of the 2026 elections.

World Liberty Financial rejected any connection to the sanctioned individuals. Company lawyers issued a statement saying the firm had “no relationship or association with any of these sanctioned individuals or the Timor-Leste project.” They described the arrangement with AB as a limited, non-exclusive technology integration and said its due diligence matched that level of involvement. The lawyers added the company was not aware of the planned resort when it announced its arrangement with AB and called attempts to link the firm to the sanctioned people “unfounded and untrue.”

An AB spokesperson described the resort as an independent entity and said AB’s agreement with World Liberty Financial was unrelated to the sanctioned men. The spokesperson said AB informed World Liberty about the men and ended its preliminary engagement with the resort after the sanctions took effect.

World Liberty Financial launched in 2024. Its listed co-founders include three of President Donald Trump’s sons and the sons of developer Steve Witkoff, who serves as a U.S. special envoy to the Middle East. The White House and World Liberty Financial have said Trump and Witkoff do not take part in the company’s decision-making. The firm has also been involved in a recent legal dispute with crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun.

Lawmakers from both parties have increased attention on digital assets, and political spending records show the crypto industry has spent more than $319 million to influence the 2026 election cycle.

Representatives for World Liberty Financial, AB and the Prince Group did not immediately respond to additional requests for comment.