The $100 Million Mystery: Renamed Entity's Massive Bet on Trump-Linked Tokens

A recent colossal transaction involving WILFI, the governance token of Trump-affiliated World Liberty Financial (WLF), has drawn significant market scrutiny. Reports from outlets like The New York Times reveal that an entity called Aqua 1 GP Limited spent a staggering $100 million to acquire these tokens over recent months.

The Entity Behind the Trade: The Rebranding from Web3Port to Aqua 1

The origin of this trade traces back to crypto market maker Web3Port. Public records indicate Aqua 1 GP Limited is a Web3Port entity registered in the British Virgin Islands, which underwent a recent name change.

The timing of this rebranding raises questions. Approximately two weeks after completing the name change, Aqua 1 announced its plan to purchase $100 million worth of the tokens. Blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence's tracking data partially corroborates this sequence: a wallet controlled by Web3Port bought $20 million in WILFI tokens in January 2025, while another wallet, suspected to be controlled by Aqua 1, added a further $80 million purchase in June of the same year.

The Key Figure: A CEO Under Ongoing Scrutiny

The spotlight then falls on the individual behind the transaction. The CEO of Aqua 1 (the entity prior to its rename) is a businessman named Guren "Bobby" Zhou, identified as one of the largest buyers of WILFI tokens.

Zhou's profile, however, is intertwined with legal risks. According to a court filing from last November, he and five others have been accused of involvement in money laundering activities since 2019. He was arrested in the UK in 2021 concerning these allegations but was not formally charged at the time. Notably, UK authorities confirmed in a statement late last month that the investigation into him remains "ongoing." Zhou has since relocated to the UAE, where he leads Web3Port's operations.

Connected Incidents: Market Manipulation and Regulatory Crackdown

This massive token purchase is not an isolated incident. Web3Port, its associated party, is no stranger to regulatory scrutiny.

Exchange's Severe Sanctions

In March 2025, leading global crypto exchange Binance executed a major enforcement action targeting several market makers, including Web3Port and its affiliated entities. Binance accused these firms of market manipulation and froze the related accounts.

  • Outcome: Approximately $38 million in alleged illicit profits were confiscated.
  • Final Ruling: These entities were permanently banned from market-making activities on Binance.

This event impacted multiple projects, contributing to abnormal price plunges for tokens like GoPlus and MyShell at the time.

Complex Business Ties

The business connections are equally intricate. Shortly after Trump's inauguration in January 2025, Web3Port publicly announced a $10 million investment into World Liberty Financial. This was followed by Aqua 1's $100 million token purchase. These closely linked investment moves sketch a capital pathway from a politically connected project to a crypto market maker.

Currently, the questions surrounding Aqua 1's huge investment, the unresolved legal probe into its CEO, and Web3Port's prior severe regulatory penalties weave together a complex business narrative. The market is watching closely for further developments, particularly the final outcome of the UK authorities' investigation.