Businessman Behind $100M WLFI Purchase Was Arrested in UK Money-Laundering Probe
Guren “Bobby” Zhou, the businessman linked to Aqua 1’s $100 million purchase of World Liberty Financial’s $WLFI
tokens, was arrested in Britain in 2021 on suspicion of money laundering, according to The New York Times.
Zhou has not been charged, but British officials said the investigation remained active as of late July. Court records reportedly accuse him of participating with five others in a money-laundering operation dating back to 2019. Two of his longtime employees have been charged, with a trial scheduled for 2028.
Zhou was previously identified as the person behind UAE-based Aqua 1, which became one of World Liberty Financial’s largest known token buyers after purchasing $100 million worth of WLFI. Blockchain analysis cited by the Times linked $20 million in WLFI purchases to a Web3Port wallet in January 2025 and another $80 million to a wallet likely controlled by Aqua 1 in June.
The source of the $100 million remains unclear. The Times reported that, under World Liberty’s revenue-sharing structure, as much as $75 million from the purchase may have flowed to a company controlled by U.S. President Donald Trump and his sons.
World Liberty Financial said it complied with all applicable laws and regulations and maintained a compliance program meeting or exceeding industry standards. The company declined to say whether it knew the source of Zhou’s funds. Zhou has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Guren “Bobby” Zhou, the businessman linked to Aqua 1’s $100 million purchase of World Liberty Financial’s $WLFI
tokens, was arrested in Britain in 2021 on suspicion of money laundering, according to The New York Times.
Zhou has not been charged, but British officials said the investigation remained active as of late July. Court records reportedly accuse him of participating with five others in a money-laundering operation dating back to 2019. Two of his longtime employees have been charged, with a trial scheduled for 2028.
Zhou was previously identified as the person behind UAE-based Aqua 1, which became one of World Liberty Financial’s largest known token buyers after purchasing $100 million worth of WLFI. Blockchain analysis cited by the Times linked $20 million in WLFI purchases to a Web3Port wallet in January 2025 and another $80 million to a wallet likely controlled by Aqua 1 in June.
The source of the $100 million remains unclear. The Times reported that, under World Liberty’s revenue-sharing structure, as much as $75 million from the purchase may have flowed to a company controlled by U.S. President Donald Trump and his sons.
World Liberty Financial said it complied with all applicable laws and regulations and maintained a compliance program meeting or exceeding industry standards. The company declined to say whether it knew the source of Zhou’s funds. Zhou has not publicly responded to the allegations.