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Breaking: US tycoon pours €86 million into Trump crypto project after probe cancelled

Breaking: US tycoon pours €86 million into Trump crypto project after probe cancelled

Business Post16 hours ago

An American financier i nvested €86 million ($100 million) in the Trump family's flagship bitcoin project just two months after a probe into his crypto business was dropped by the Trump administration.
Chicago-based DRW Investments, the trading firm founded and controlled by Don Wilson, acquired nearly four million shares in Trump Media & Technology Group last month, according to public filings cited by the Financial Times.
The purchase formed part of a funding round linked to a planned acquisition of more than $2 billion worth of cryptocurrency.
The investment in TMTG, which is behind the Truth Social app and controlled by the US president's family, makes DRW among the biggest financiers of the group's crypto bet.
DRW said: 'We are a major institutional player in cryptoassets and have been for over a decade. We engage in a variety of strategies in the crypto ecosystem, and we see the benefit of holding bitcoin on corporate balance sheets. This transaction was viewed purely through that lens.'
TMTG did not respond to an FT request for comment, the report states
Over the past four decades Wilson has built DRW into one of the world's largest trading firms by headcount.
Its rival Jane Street was the largest investor funding TMTG's crypto bet, buying about $375mn in the equity fundraising, according to a regulatory filing.

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Paul Murphy's phone still withheld after Egyptian detention, passport returned
Paul Murphy's phone still withheld after Egyptian detention, passport returned

Irish Examiner

timean hour ago

  • Irish Examiner

Paul Murphy's phone still withheld after Egyptian detention, passport returned

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has had his passport returned by Egyptian authorities, but says they have not had his phone returned after he was detained at a protest march yesterday. Mr Murphy was among a group detained in Egypt as around 3,000 activists worldwide were due to begin marching across the Sinai Desert on Friday to the Rafah border, demanding the opening of the crossing, the delivery of aid, and an end to Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza. The Department of Foreign Affairs, which has urged against travelling in the region because it is 'particularly dangerous,' has offered consular assistance, with Irish diplomats in Egypt working on the case. Yesterday, Mr Murphy said he was detained in the Egyptian city of Ismailia, with soldiers having confiscated his passport. They attempted to move detained individuals onto a bus, which he believes was intended for deportation out of Egypt. Mr Murphy said the detainees refused to board the bus. In a later update on X, Mr Murphy said that Egyptian authorities still had his phone, and told him that detainees were being sent to the airport. However, Mr Murphy said the route they took was not the same road they had travelled from, with the bus heading towards Cairo. We were finally released late last night at airport. Police still have our phones. We are back in Cairo and meeting shortly to decide next steps. We're focused on Israel's genocide and starvation of Gaza. Thanks for your support. Free Palestine 🇵🇸 🇵🇸🇵🇸#GlobalMarchToGaza — Paul Murphy 🇵🇸 (@paulmurphy_TD) June 14, 2025 In his tweet, Mr Murphy said that 'violence got worse' after authorities seized his phone. He alleges that an American woman was 'badly kicked and beaten' and had her hijab torn off. The Dublin South-West TD later confirmed that he had been released late last night at the airport, while police still retained 'our phones.' "We are back in Cairo and meeting shortly to decide next steps," he wrote on X. "We're focused on Israel's genocide and starvation of Gaza. Thanks for your support. Free Palestine." On Saturday morning, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said local embassy staff worked to secure the release of Irish citizens detained in Rafah and had secured the return of their passports. "I spoke directly to Deputy Murphy to confirm he and other Irish people have been released from detention, had their passports returned and were receiving consular assistance," Mr Harris said. "The wellbeing and safety of all Irish citizens abroad is always of concern to me and to my Department. I am aware some Irish citizens have not had their phones returned by the authorities and I have asked our embassy to pursue this.' People Before Profit–Solidarity Paul Murphy TD at Leinster House on the Plinth, with his bag backed ahead of his trip to Cairo where he planned to attend the 'March to Gaza'. Picture: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos Separately, the Tánaiste said he had held calls with Ireland's ambassadors to Israel, Iran, and Egypt over escalating Middle East tensions. He said: "I am pleased to say our Embassy staff are safe and well. 'This is a dangerous moment for the Middle East. I am deeply concerned about the continuing exchange of air attacks between Israel and Iran. "Our Embassies are in close contact with members of the Irish community to offer assistance. We are also working closely with our European counterparts in relation to the situation that is unfolding. 'My Department continues to advise against all travel to Iran and Israel for Irish citizens. 'Irish citizens in the region are advised to be vigilant and to follow the advice of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place.'

Battle tanks, 7,000 troops & WW2 planes … spotters guide to Trump's £30m birthday bash with 18-mile ring of steel
Battle tanks, 7,000 troops & WW2 planes … spotters guide to Trump's £30m birthday bash with 18-mile ring of steel

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

Battle tanks, 7,000 troops & WW2 planes … spotters guide to Trump's £30m birthday bash with 18-mile ring of steel

THOUSANDS of US troops flanked by battle tanks and advanced stealth jets will march on the streets as President Donald Trump kicks off a grand military parade - on his birthday. 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Some 2,000 civilians could also take march alongside the US military. READ MORE ON TRUMP And the whole celebration will be enclosed with an 18 mile ring of steel to protect the parade. Drones and a small army of cops will be on hand to keep order - with there expected to be protests across the country as part of "No Kings" day, a series of anti-Trump rallies by people objecting to the parade. It comes after a week of unrest in many cities - with June 14 this year marks the 250th anniversary of the US Army, also known as Army Day. Most read in The US Sun The day also coincides with Trump 's 79th birthday. To celebrate both things in style, Trump planned to throw a military parade to showcase America's might. French President Emmanuel Macron joins 3,700 members of the military in Paris to mark Bastille Day, with guest Donald Trump For years, the president is said to have had his eyes on a full-blown military show, but has failed to put up a working plan - until now. Plans are to roll down battle tanks, massive military equipment, and aircraft and missiles, just as Trump first envisioned the parade during his first term. The president, who is expected to give a speech during the parade, has pitched the occasion as a way to celebrate US power and service members' sacrifice. The parade will also showcase antics from different eras of the Army's history, right from the Revolutionary War in 1775 to the modern developments of the US Army. Contingent members are expected to wear corresponding uniforms and carry equipment respectively. Among the military equipment set to be flaunted are 26 M1A1 Abrams tanks, 27 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, two World War II Sherman tanks, a World War I-era Renault tank, eight CH-47 helicopters, 16 UH-60 Black Hawks and four WWII-era P-51 aircraft. While US officials have yet to release the cost of the planned parade, the figure is expected to reach up to a whopping $45million. This includes the cost of transporting all the military equipment across Washington and putting up safety measures for the public expected to gather at the parade. Army spokesman Col. Dave Butler said that the Army is excited about the plans for its anniversary. He added: 'We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us. 'We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers. 12 12 12 A US soldier works atop an Abrams tank that is staged in West Potomac Park ahead of a 14 June military parade Credit: EPA 12 Tanks rest on the back of a rail car before being used for the parade Credit: AFP 12 US Army soldiers on top of an M1 Abrams tank during a media preview of the Army's Parade Credit: AFP 12 A US Park Police officer poses for a photograph next to a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to be used in the US Army's 250th Birthday Celebration Credit: Reuters "A parade might become part of that, and we think that will be an excellent addition to what we already have planned.' Trump appeared to tease the grand plan last month in a post on Truth Social, where he wrote: "We are going to start celebrating our victories again!' He also vowed to rename May 8, now known as Victory in Europe Day, as 'Victory Day for World War II,' and to change November 11, Veterans Day, to 'Victory Day for World War I". Meanwhile, immigration rioters protesting against the Trump administration in LA could show up in Washington, experts fear. AMERICA'S 250th MAGA CELEBRATION By Sayan Bose, Foreign news reporter Trump is also planning a Trump floated plans to showcase America's greatness in its true sense - packed in a year-long grand festival to mark the country's anniversary, dubbed the semiquincentennial, in a grand style that can be seen in the video above. Trump, who led his 2024 election campaign on the promise to make America great again, will take this opportunity to portray the country's might in the most patriotic way. It was just a year ago when he called all Americans to prepare for the Great American State Fair - a gigantic carnival of joy that would mark America's 250th birthday in true Trump fashion. Various contingents could take part in a grand parade in front of millions of people visiting the fair - and Trump could build a "National Garden of American Heroes' with statues of important figures in American history. This may include giant structures of George Washington, Neil Armstrong, and Muhammad Ali. Use our But Trump warned protestors would be "met with very big force" if they attempted to sow chaos during the parade. He told reporters from the White House: "For those people that want to protest, they're going to be met with very big force." Law enforcement agencies are preparing for hundreds of thousands of people to attend Saturday's parade, US Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool revealed. McCool said thousands of agents, officers and specialists will be deployed from law enforcement agencies across the country. Iran's foreign ministry has described further discussions as "meaningless", after Israeli attacks on the country. In comments carried by state television, spokesman Esmail Baghaei said: "The US did a job that made the talks become meaningless." However, he stopped short of ruling out the talks. The Mizan news agency, run by Iran's judiciary, quoted him as saying it is still "not clear what we decide about Sunday talks".

Trump to preside over military parade as US cities prepare for 'No Kings' demonstrations
Trump to preside over military parade as US cities prepare for 'No Kings' demonstrations

The Journal

time3 hours ago

  • The Journal

Trump to preside over military parade as US cities prepare for 'No Kings' demonstrations

ARMED US MARINES have arrived on the streets of Los Angeles as part of a large deployment of troops ordered by Donald Trump as the US braces for widespread protests to coincide with a large-scale military parade in Washington. On his 79th birthday, Trump will preside over the parade to officially mark the 250th anniversary of the US army. It will be the first time tanks and other heavy weaponry have rolled through the capital city in three decades. The army says the event could cost up to $45 million (€38 million). At the same time, protests by the so-called 'No Kings' movement are expected across the United States against what organisers say is a Trump personality cult. Organisers said the rallies would be the largest since Trump returned to office in January, adding that they were 'rejecting authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarisation of our democracy.' They said they expected millions of people in more than 1,500 cities to take part in the protests, which they called a 'direct response to Donald Trump's self-aggrandising' parade, 'funded by taxpayers while millions are told there's no money.' 'Unprecedented' crowds could attend, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters on Friday. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, whose deputies are part of a large law enforcement response in the enormous city, urged protesters to behave properly. 'It's a good cause, but we do not want violent agitators out there destroying property or committing acts of violence,' he said. Mayor Karen Bass said demonstrations are expected to be 'even larger because of what has happened in our city.' Advertisement 'We do call on people over the weekend to demonstrate peacefully, to exercise your first amendment right, to not play into the hands where it could be used as a pretext to roll out troops in our city,' she said in a news conference. Marines in LA Thousands of demonstrators are expected to turn out in Los Angeles to protest against Trump's deployment of troops in America's second-largest city following clashes sparked by immigration raids. US Marines stand guard outside of a federal building in Los Angeles. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Men in fatigues and carrying semiautomatic rifles were seen around a federal building, where passersby questioned why they were in an area 18 kilometers from the protests against immigration raids. Marines temporarily detained one man at the federal building before they handed him over to law enforcement. The US military would not say why he was detained, despite multiple requests, but the incident appeared to be a minor – albeit extremely rare – example of federal troops detaining a US civilian. Seven hundred Marines, normally used as crack troops in foreign conflicts, along with 4,000 National Guard soldiers are tasked with protecting federal buildings, while local police handle protests over Trump's sweeps for undocumented migrants. An intense legal battle is underway over Trump's authority to deploy troops on US soil. In a show of political force, Trump overrode the objections of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom to deploy California's National Guard. California v Trump Trump has repeatedly exaggerated the scale of violence, claiming that without troops, Los Angeles would be 'burning to the ground right now.' On Thursday, District Judge Charles Breyer ruled Trump's actions were 'illegal' and ordered that he return control of the guard to Newsom. Breyer said the LA unrest fell 'far short' of the 'rebellion' Trump had described. Related Reads US Senator forced out of news conference after asking Trump official about targeting immigrants US anti-deportation protests continue and spread beyond 'test case' Los Angeles Trump says he won't allow 'mob rule' as protests break out across US A baby hand flowers to a member of law enforcement outside the Federal Building during a protest. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo However, a higher court quickly paused the order pending an appeal hearing with the Trump administration next Tuesday. The US Department of Justice slammed Breyer's ruling as 'an extraordinary intrusion on the President's constitutional authority as Commander in Chief.' The dispute mirrors multiple others over Trump's attempts to expand the limits of presidential power, but this one is the first to involve troops. Many in Los Angeles are angry about immigration raids carried out as part of Trump's ambition to deport vast numbers of undocumented migrants from the country. On Friday, around 100 protesters gathered outside the federal detention center in Los Angeles that has been at the heart of the rallies, ahead of a nightly curfew placed on the downtown area by the mayor. In a sign of how contained the demonstrations have been, however, those attending a performance of 'Hamlet' – Shakespeare's play about a mad prince – and other shows at nearby venues were exempt from the curfew. Outrage at Trump's raids and the use of masked, armed immigration agents backed by uniformed soldiers have also sparked protests in other cities, including San Francisco, New York, Chicago and San Antonio, Texas. Tensions hiked further on Thursday when California Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat, was handcuffed and forcibly removed from a news conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. With reporting from © AFP 2025 Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

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