The Trump Organization is teaming up with its long-time Saudi partner, Dar Global, to build a new ultra-luxury resort in the Maldives and they are adding a major twist: the project will be tokenised.
The companies announced the plan on Monday, calling it the world’s first tokenised hotel development linked directly to the construction phase.
The planned Trump International Hotel Maldives will feature 80 high-end beach and overwater villas, set in one of the world’s most exclusive travel destinations. The resort will sit just 25 minutes from Male by speedboat and is expected to open by late 2028.
How tokenisation will function?
The companies say the project will break new ground by offering digital tokens tied to the hotel’s development. In simple terms, tokenisation uses blockchain technology to divide real-world assets, like a property into digital “shares” that investors can buy.
This gives individuals a chance to invest in a project from the very beginning, potentially with higher returns.
Dar Global CEO Ziad El Chaar said the company plans to sell tokens linked to the fund building the resort, not to the finished property.
According to him, this approach allows investors to benefit from the project’s growth during construction. The total development value is around $300 million, and Dar Global will keep 30% to 40% ownership.
The two companies have worked together before on multiple developments across the Gulf region, including projects in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar.
Typically, the Trump Organization contributes its global brand and receives fees and a share of sales, while Dar Global handles the heavy lifting: buying land and funding construction.
They are also developing Trump Towers in Jeddah and Dubai, along with resorts, luxury homes, and golf courses in Qatar and Oman.
Crypto ties and the luxury resort
This project also comes as President Donald Trump and his family expand deeper into the crypto world. Trump has issued executive orders supporting the industry, and the US recently passed new regulations for stablecoins.
With tokenisation entering the mix, the Maldives project resonates with how the Trump brand is positioning itself at the intersection of luxury real estate and digital finance.