World Liberty Financial announced a partnership with AB DAO in November. Reporting shows AB DAO’s flagship project AB Resort was founded by Yang Jian, a director tied to the U.S.-sanctioned Prince Group; co-owner Chen Zhao is married to another sanctioned Prince Group executive, and the company previously employed an associate Yang Yanming. AB DAO said it was unaware of those ties and has dismissed the three; World Liberty said it was not aware of links to sanctioned persons and conducts due diligence. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Prince Group, its founder Chen Zhi and associates last October for running investment scams and exploiting trafficked people; Chen Zhi was later extradited. Questions also arose about World Liberty’s ownership after reports a UAE adviser bought a 49% stake.

The story links AB DAO to individuals connected to the U.S.-sanctioned Prince Group and cites U.S. Treasury sanctions for investment scams and exploitation—facts that raise compliance and sanction risk for the partnership. AB DAO and World Liberty’s claims of unawareness are noted, and ownership questions (reported 49% stake purchase) add governance concerns.