President-elect Donald Trump’s closest allies and family are enthusiastically diving into the crypto wave. On Monday, some of these key figures will arrive in Abu Dhabi for the Gulf region’s largest bitcoin gathering. The conference couldn’t come at a better time for the crypto world, which is riding high as Bitcoin sets record prices.
Eric Trump, Trump’s middle son, and billionaire Steve Witkoff, a newly appointed Middle East envoy, are among the featured speakers. Both are linked to World Liberty Financial (WLF), a crypto platform launched just a few months ago in September. WLF was co-founded by Trump and his family, who now play active roles in its promotion.
Tuesday’s highlight will be Eric Trump’s keynote speech at the Bitcoin MENA conference. The event is expected to draw a crowd exceeding 6,000 attendees. After his speech, Eric will participate in an exclusive “whale-only” chat session in the VIP lounge. This session requires a hefty $9,999 pass aimed at big-time investors who can influence markets.
**High-Stakes Players and Bold Promises**
Witkoff, known for his vast real estate empire, will also address this elite crowd separately. His session will cater specifically to high-rollers interested in the deeper intricacies of cryptocurrency. Witkoff’s involvement signifies a serious merging of traditional business power with the new digital finance revolution.
Trump himself holds an influential stake in World Liberty Financial. According to company records, he is entitled to 22.5 billion WLF tokens along with a slice of the company’s revenue. His sons — Eric, Don Jr., and even Barron — serve as official ambassadors for the venture.
Marshall Beard, Chief Operating Officer of Gemini, a crypto exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, commented on the event’s importance.
“The Bitcoin conference carries a lot of significance for crypto as it’s one of the longest-running conferences focused on bringing our industry together,” Beard said. He added, “It’s been incredible to see the rise of bitcoin alongside the growth of the conference.”
**Big Investors, Big Controversies**
Justin Sun, the 32-year-old founder of blockchain platform Tron, will also speak at the conference. Sun became World Liberty Financial’s largest investor after purchasing $30 million worth of its tokens shortly after Trump’s November 5 election victory. This investment came despite Sun’s legal troubles; he faced fraud and securities violation charges under the Biden administration.
This bitcoin gathering comes at a pivotal moment. Donald Trump, once skeptical of digital currencies, now pledges to be the “crypto president.” He has promised to transform the U.S. into the “crypto capital of the planet.” These assurances have pushed Bitcoin to new heights, with the cryptocurrency recently smashing through the $100,000 mark.
Trump’s commitment to the digital finance movement doesn’t stop at crypto. He appointed David Sacks, a former PayPal executive, as the White House’s artificial intelligence and crypto czar. Sacks, a close associate of Elon Musk, is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the administration’s approach to technology and finance.
**Musk, Money, and Influence**
Elon Musk himself has played a significant role in Trump’s rise. Records show Musk poured over $250 million into Trump’s 2024 election campaign. Musk’s businesses — including X, SpaceX, and Tesla — have positioned him as a major power player in both tech and politics. According to data firm Breadcrumbs, other tech leaders and crypto veterans also invested millions in pro-crypto candidates.
Adding more political flavor to the conference, Paul Manafort, Trump’s 2016 campaign manager, will speak on his experiences. His session is titled “A Life of Politics with the Man Closest to Donald Trump.” Manafort’s presence underscores how deeply intertwined the political and crypto spheres have become in Trump’s circle.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao will also make an appearance, despite recent legal troubles. Zhao served a four-month prison sentence in the U.S. earlier this year for violating money-laundering laws linked to crypto. He will join the VIP whale session, suggesting that even controversy won’t stop the industry’s major players from seizing opportunities.