Bertie Ahern’s crypto charity to be dissolved

The AB Foundation, an Irish-registered nonprofit chaired by former prime minister Bertie Ahern, has applied for voluntary strike-off with Ireland’s Companies Registration Office and will be removed from the register after a period of inactivity.

Company filings show the foundation requested a voluntary strike-off after reportedly never trading and not holding operational meetings since its launch in early 2025.

The foundation was set up by crypto firm AB in early 2025. It was presented as a vehicle to use blockchain technology and artificial intelligence to fund philanthropic projects. Records filed with the CRO indicate the non-profit did not trade, although the foundation said in late 2025 that it had donated more than $1.9 million to support victims of a level-five fire at Hong Kong’s Kwong Fuk Estate in Tai Po. CRO filings show no further official meetings after the launch event.

The AB Foundation assembled an advisory network of nearly 30 former heads of state and international figures. Listed associates included Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko. Despite the advisory list, the foundation did not progress to active operations in Ireland.

The charity drew scrutiny after investigations linked AB, the crypto firm behind the foundation, to a Cambodian conglomerate that has been sanctioned by U.S. authorities. The U.S. sanctions allege the conglomerate’s involvement in crypto fraud, scam operations and human trafficking networks. The foundation’s name was also flagged in connection with a proposed cryptocurrency resort and development project in Timor-Leste involving a Chinese-born businessman connected to the wider ecosystem around AB.

Bertie Ahern rejected links between the charity and the Timor-Leste development, saying he had ‘zero connection’ to the project or to related donations and that his role with the foundation was ceremonial. He also denied ties between the Irish-registered nonprofit and sanctioned overseas groups.

With the CRO process underway, the AB Foundation will be struck from the Irish register and cease to exist as a nonprofit once the strike-off is completed.