Trump Organization to Accept Crypto for $1B Dubai Tower
The Trump Organization’s latest venture into Dubai real estate is going crypto. The $1 billion Trump International Hotel and Tower will begin accepting cryptocurrency for property sales upon completion, marking a significant move in the group’s evolving Web3 strategy.
A Crypto-Powered Vision for Dubai
Announced earlier this year, the Trump-branded project is being developed in partnership with Dar Global and will include a luxury hotel, private clubhouse, high-end residences, and the world’s highest swimming pool.
The Trump International Hotel and Tower will accept cryptocurrencies from buyers to purchase property, Mr Trump said in an interview with The National.
“This is going to be the first truly large-scale project that accepts Bitcoin, that accepts cryptocurrency to purchase units, and that’s really exciting for me, because I love that world and I am deeply invested in that world,” Eric Trump stated.
“I believe in cryptocurrency. It’s the financial mechanism of the future … it’s still in its infancy, but the growth has been explosive,” he added.
“Real estate and cryptocurrencies are credible hedges for one another,” he said, “and when I can see two worlds that I truly love come together, it’s very exciting.”
The tower is expected to be completed in about five years, with apartment prices starting at $1 million for three- and four-bedroom units and penthouses reaching $20.4 million.
The project will be funded through a mix of bank borrowing, the company’s own equity, cash, and collections from investors, according to Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global. “We will also work with the local banks to fund mainly the construction of the hotel and the club,” he said.
A Booming Market Backed by Wealth Influx
Dubai’s property market has become a hotspot for global investment, bolstered by both crypto innovation and economic incentives.
The influx of high-net-worth individuals has been boosting Dubai’s property market, which has been benefiting from government initiatives such as residency permits for retired and remote workers, expansion of the 10-year golden visa programme and overall growth in the UAE’s economy on diversification efforts.
Dubai registered 111 sales of homes valued at more than $10 million in the first quarter of 2025, up 5.7 per cent on an annual basis, with a total value of $1.9 billion, Knight Frank said in a recent report on Tuesday.
Last year, the UAE saw the arrival of 7,200 millionaires, building on an influx of 4,700 in 2023 and 5,200 in 2022. The total number of dollar millionaires in the UAE stood at 130,500 at the end of December, ranking the Emirates as the 14th-largest wealth market globally.
“Dubai’s real estate market is going to continue to absolutely boom and we’re going to set the kind of new standard in terms of price per square foot and luxury in the market,” Mr Trump said.
He also praised the city’s transformation: “It’s become such a safe haven for so many people, so many countries, so many people want to put money here… all over Europe, the Asian continent, all over Africa. Dubai has really become the epicentre.”
From Golf Courses to Gulf-Wide Ambitions
The Trump Organization is no stranger to the region. The company has a presence in Dubai through two golf course developments in partnership with Damac Properties. It has also teamed up with Dar Global for a resort development in Muscat, and a $533 million residential project in Jeddah. Two more projects are being planned in Riyadh.
“It certainly won’t be our last project. We’ve got the greatest partners in the world in Dar Global,” Mr Trump said.
He noted the growing interest from American investors as well: “More people from the US are expected to invest in property in Dubai as Americans are trying to learn what the Middle East is, better than ever before,” he said.
Trump’s Expanding Crypto Footprint
The Trump family’s presence in the Web3 world keeps expanding. From NFTs and meme coins to advisory roles and endorsements, their crypto involvement shows no signs of slowing.
Both Mr Trump and his father, the US President, are huge supporters of cryptocurrencies.
Eric Trump is set to speak at Token2049 in Dubai this week, joining a panel hosted by crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun.
He also recently joined Japan-based Metaplanet as an advisor, with the firm citing his “business acumen, appreciation for the Bitcoin community, and global hospitality experience” as key reasons for the appointment.
Amid expanding economic activity, Trump addressed recent U.S. tariffs imposed on the Gulf.
“The Gulf’s service-based economy and lack of significant manufacturing make it less vulnerable to tariffs,” he said. The region received a 10% tariff—lower than Tunisia, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq.
Dar Global’s Broader Strategy
Dar Global is spearheading the Trump tower development.
The company has a $10 billion international property portfolio with active projects in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Spain. It is also exploring opportunities in Athens and parts of the US.
“The common denominator of all these cities is that they are diversified. Each city attracts a big number of nationalities. Thereby, the investment is always more secure, more stable,” said Mr El Chaar.
