World Liberty Finance sold 173 WBTC for about $11.75 million in USDC on Feb. 5, shifting part of its Bitcoin exposure into stablecoins while the market was under pressure. The project, which is tied to the Trump family, executed the sales as Bitcoin was moving lower, a pattern that points to risk reduction rather than a rush for the exit.
Three trades moved 173 WBTC into USDC
The transactions were split into rapid bursts instead of a single block sale. Two smaller trades appeared at 13:40 UTC and 13:41 UTC, then a larger sale followed at 17:25 UTC. Data cited in the report shows that 73 WBTC was sold for $5.04 million, while another 100 WBTC brought in $6.71 million.
The timing matters. These trades were carried out while Bitcoin was already declining, which makes the move look more like a treasury defense than speculative selling. By converting WBTC into USDC in a short window, the firm locked in a sizable portion of capital and cut exposure to additional price swings.
Sales came as volatility picked up
The report describes this kind of switch into stablecoins as a common way to preserve value during sharp market drops. In that context, World Liberty Finance appears to have prioritized balance-sheet protection. Selling into weakness is not usually read as a bid for upside; it often signals that preserving current value has become the immediate objective.
That reading is reinforced by the structure of the sales. The orders were concentrated, quick, and directed toward USDC rather than another volatile asset. For firms managing treasury holdings, this is a familiar response when market conditions deteriorate fast.
$500 million UAE-linked deal draws congressional attention
A separate issue is adding political pressure. World Liberty Finance is also facing a U.S. congressional investigation tied to a $500 million deal connected to Donald Trump’s return to the White House. According to the source material, House Democrats led by Rep. Ro Khanna are examining the arrangement after reports said a UAE-linked entity acquired a major stake just days before Trump’s second inauguration.
The agreement, dated Jan. 16, 2025, gave Aryam Investment 1 a 49% stake in WLFI. The firm is registered in Delaware and Abu Dhabi. The payment structure called for $250 million upfront, with another $250 million due by July 2025.
Eric Trump signed the deal on behalf of WLFI. The report says $187 million was directed to Trump-affiliated entities, $31 million went to WLFI co-founders, and another $31 million was allocated to Zak Folkman and Chase Herro. The UAE investor did not receive governance token rights and was limited to equity exposure, but lawmakers are still questioning possible conflicts of interest and foreign influence. The source also links Aryam Investment 1 to backing from Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan.