Rapper Nicki Minaj is stepping into the spotlight of the cryptocurrency world, solidifying her connection with former U.S. President Donald Trump's crypto ambitions through a prominent speaking engagement at the World Liberty Financial (WLFI) forum. This high-profile appearance brings celebrity attention to WLFI, even as the company faces significant scrutiny over its financial dealings.
Celebrity Powerhouse Joins Trump's Crypto Endeavor
Nicki Minaj is scheduled to take the stage at the exclusive, invitation-only WLF2026 Forum, hosted at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence. This event, set to attract an influential gathering of 300-400 executives, investors, policymakers, and tech leaders from major institutions like Goldman Sachs, Nasdaq, and Coinbase, represents her most overt public alignment with the Trump family's venture. While Minaj has previously dipped her toes into crypto by promoting an NFT collection in 2021, her participation has largely been promotional. This speaking role, however, marks a considerable escalation in her involvement with the burgeoning digital asset space.
WLFI Navigates Investment Scrutiny
Minaj's highly anticipated appearance comes at a critical time for World Liberty Financial, which is currently embroiled in controversy. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim have urgently requested that the Treasury Secretary review a substantial $500 million foreign investment in WLFI. This probe specifically concerns the sale of a 49% stake to UAE's Aryam Investment, an entity reportedly backed by the UAE's National Security Advisor, Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The call for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to assess potential risks associated with this deal casts a considerable shadow over the otherwise high-profile forum, highlighting the intense scrutiny surrounding Trump’s crypto arm.
