Trump Is Building a New Luxury Resort in the Maldives — and He Plans to Tokenize It

President Donald Trump is building a new hotel estate in the middle of Maldives, one of the world's most exclusive holiday destinations.

This project will mark his most ambitious project of all time, not because of the scale of the construction but because this new project would also be the first estate that he would be tokenizing, something which the president calls "an unprecedented financial innovation" in his announcement on Monday.

The initiative aims to break from the traditional model of tokenized real estate, which typically fractionalizes ownership of already-completed or near-completed properties.

Instead, investors will be able to gain exposure from the earliest phase of development, a structure the companies describe as a first-of-its-kind financial innovation for the sector.

Scheduled to open by the end of 2028, the Trump International Hotel Maldives will be located on the outskirts of Male, with the resort featuring about 80 luxury beaches and overwater villas designed to offer exceptional privacy, exclusivity, and sophistication.

The project taps into the fast-growing RWA tokenization market, which leverages blockchain to mint physical assets as digital tokens. This approach allows for fractionalized ownership, broader investor participation and 24/7 liquidity — lowering barriers to traditional real estate investing, which typically requires large amounts of capital and offers minimal flexibility.

Eric Trump, executive vice president of The Trump Organization, said the development will set a new benchmark for innovation in real estate investment through tokenization.

"This development will not only redefine luxury in the region but also set a new benchmark for innovation in real estate investment through tokenisation."

Dar Global CEO Ziad El Chaar echoed that sentiment, calling it a “global first” that blends luxury, technology and investment in a way that could reshape how hospitality assets are financed.

He also adds that this new project will transform how the world will invest in hospitality in the future.

The Trump Organization has not yet provided details on the investment structure or token mechanics, but the early-stage tokenization model stands out in a market where on-chain real estate projects have remained relatively small in scale.

Trump’s Tokenized Resort Lands Amid Growing Controversy Over His Crypto Ties

The Maldives project arrives at a time when Trump-linked crypto ventures are surging in visibility — and sparking debate — during Donald Trump’s second term in office.

As of Oct. 16, the Trump family’s crypto-related enterprises — including World Liberty Financial (WLFI) and branded digital tokens such as Official TRUMP and Melania Meme (MELANIA) — have reportedly generated around $1 billion in pre-tax profit, according to public disclosures.

The rapid financial expansion of these ventures has fueled questions about the intertwining of presidential influence, political branding and speculative cryptocurrency products. Supporters argue the activity showcases a pro-innovation stance, while critics warn of blurred lines between public office and private commercial gain.

The newly announced tokenized resort further amplifies that debate. By connecting a major international Trump development directly to blockchain investment rails, the project reinforces the family’s growing foothold in the crypto sector — and positions Trump as one of the most prominent world leaders actively linked to digital asset ventures.

Industry analysts say the resort could become a landmark case for whether tokenized hospitality can scale internationally. But it may also invite heightened scrutiny as Trump continues to operate at the intersection of global politics, luxury branding and the rapidly evolving crypto economy.