Trump Family and Allies Take Center Stage in Abu Dhabi
The Trump family and key allies are set to headline the Gulf bitcoin region’s largest bitcoin gathering in Abu Dhabi as the cryptocurrency industry experiences unprecedented growth. The event, Bitcoin MENA, kicks off on Monday, drawing more than 6,000 attendees, including prominent figures from the crypto and political spheres. Eric Trump, son of President-elect Donald Trump, is slated to deliver the keynote address on Tuesday, followed by an exclusive “whale-only” discussion for top-tier investors. The conference will also feature billionaire Steve Witkoff, the newly appointed White House envoy for the Middle East and co-founder of World Liberty Financial (WLF), a cryptocurrency platform launched in September with significant involvement from the Trump family.
President-elect Trump, who once expressed skepticism toward digital currencies, now stands as World Liberty Financial’s chief crypto advocate. His sons Eric, Don Jr., and Barron serve as ambassadors for the platform, which has issued 22.5 billion WLF tokens to Trump, along with a share of its revenues. Industry leaders are lauding the event’s significance, with Marshall Beard, COO of crypto exchange Gemini, stating, “It’s been incredible to see the rise of bitcoin alongside the growth of the conference.” Bitcoin’s recent surge to $100,000 has further heightened the excitement surrounding the gathering.
High-Profile Investors and Controversial Figures
The conference boasts a roster of influential speakers with ties to World Liberty Financial and the broader cryptocurrency sector. Justin Sun, founder of blockchain platform Tron, is among the notable attendees. Sun, who became WLF’s largest investor after purchasing $30 million worth of tokens, was previously charged with crypto-related fraud under the Biden administration. Paul Manafort, Trump’s 2016 campaign manager, is scheduled to speak on his political career and close association with the president-elect at the Gulf bitcoin event.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who recently served a four-month U.S. prison sentence for money laundering violations, is another headline participant. These high-profile and sometimes controversial figures underscore the pivotal role of cryptocurrency in shaping the global financial landscape. As part of its exclusive offerings, the conference provides a $9,999 “whale pass” for elite investors capable of influencing market movements. Witkoff and Zhao are expected to address this select audience in separate sessions.
Trump’s Vision for a Crypto-Centric America
The Gulf bitcoin conference occurs at a transformative moment for the industry, with President-elect Trump pledging to position the U.S. as the global hub for cryptocurrencies. Branding himself as the “crypto president,” Trump has announced plans to prioritize blockchain innovation and digital assets within his administration. He has also named David Sacks, a former PayPal executive, as White House czar for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies.
The president-elect’s commitment to crypto has garnered substantial support from industry heavyweights. Elon Musk, a close adviser and megadonor, contributed over $250 million to Trump’s campaign. Musk’s companies, including X and Tesla, are expected to play a role in advancing the administration’s tech-focused agenda. With bitcoin achieving record highs and growing public interest, the Gulf bitcoin conference in Abu Dhabi highlights the fusion of political influence and technological innovation driving the crypto revolution.
