The recent meeting between White House AI & Crypto Czar David Sacks and top officials from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sparked discussions on deeper ties in emerging technologies and investment opportunities between the two nations. The meeting, which included high-level talks with Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security adviser and brother of the country’s president, focused on the growing influence of AI, the evolving role of digital currencies, and new investment prospects arising from their intersection.
In a post on X, Sheikh Tahnoon shared insights from his discussions with Sacks, highlighting the transformative effects of artificial intelligence across various sectors, the expanding role of digital currencies in reshaping financial systems, and the investment opportunities emerging at their intersection. The talks were part of a broader diplomatic initiative that included a private dinner hosted by former President Donald Trump at the White House on March 18. Trump and senior U.S. officials engaged with Tahnoon to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in economic and technological arenas.
While the specifics of the meetings were not publicly disclosed, sources cited by Bloomberg mentioned that the UAE delegation aimed to explore greater access to U.S. technology, particularly semiconductors, following U.S. export restrictions imposed in 2023. Tahnoon also expressed interest in building tech infrastructure within the U.S., showcasing the UAE’s long-term commitment to its American partnerships.
Tahnoon, who chairs the UAE-based investment firm MGX, is reportedly preparing a $7 billion investment into “Stargate,” a $500 billion private-led project announced by Trump to construct AI data centers across the United States. This investment follows MGX’s $2 billion investment in Binance earlier this month. During his U.S. visit, Tahnoon also engaged with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and held discussions with tech leaders including Oracle’s Larry Ellison, BlackRock’s Larry Fink, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang. Additionally, he had a video call with Elon Musk, exploring ways to modernize government systems.
With control over a $1.5 trillion financial empire, Tahnoon’s engagements signal a potential surge in UAE-led investment and collaboration in U.S.-based digital innovation. In a separate development, a recent study revealed that the UAE has ranked first among the world’s “most crypto-obsessed countries” in 2025, with exceptional crypto adoption growth at 210%. The UAE scored 98.4%, boasting the highest crypto ownership rate at 25.3%.
As the UAE emerges as a key destination for crypto and stablecoin ventures seeking refuge from the EU’s newly implemented Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, its proactive positioning as a crypto hub and clarity on policies make it a compelling choice for companies looking to maintain global operations. The UAE’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the digital space underscores its potential to drive the future of tech and investment on a global scale.