Crypto
Crypto-CEO Faces US Extradition In Crypto Asset Fraud.
Crypto-CEO Faces US Extradition In Crypto Asset Fraud.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed fraud charges against three companies and nine individuals implicated in schemes aimed at manipulating the cryptocurrency market. These schemes were designed to distort the markets for several crypto assets that were offered and sold as securities to retail investors. The accused are said to have misled investors by fabricating the illusion of vibrant trading markets for these assets, enticing them to make purchases based on artificially inflated trading volumes and prices.
The SEC summary highlighted that “This action arises from the defendants’ unregistered and fraudulent offers and sales of crypto assets being offered and sold as securities to the investing public and their manipulative trading of those securities.”
Fraudulent Crypto Market Scheme
The complaints filed by the SEC detail that the promoters of crypto assets—Russell Armand, Maxwell Hernandez, Manpreet Singh Kohli, Nam Tran, and Vy Pham—worked in conjunction with three firms, ZM Quant, Gotbit, and CLS Global, which purported to act as market makers. Manpreet Singh Kohli, 43, appeared via video-link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London at an early stage of his fight against extradition to the US.
These entities are accused of engaging in activities to manipulate the trading behavior of crypto assets. It is alleged that they offered “market-manipulation-as-a-service” to artificially enhance both the trading volume and price of the crypto assets that the promoters marketed to retail investors through unregistered transactions.
As outlined in the filings of the SEC, ZM Quant and Gotbit, acting on behalf of the promoters, engaged in market manipulation by creating artificial trading volume through self-trading, commonly known as wash trading. This practice entails the buying and selling of the same asset to fabricate the appearance of market activity.
The SEC further asserted that CLS Global executed a comparable scheme concerning another cryptocurrency developed under the supervision of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as part of a distinct investigation into manipulation within the crypto asset market.
The SEC indicated that these deceptive practices misled retail investors into believing that the crypto assets were experiencing active trading and exhibited significant market demand, when, in fact, the trading activity was contrived and lacked any genuine economic purpose. In certain cases, the defendants utilized algorithms or trading bots that generated an enormous volume of transactions, resulting in up to quadrillions of transactions and billions of dollars in artificial trading volume daily on major cryptocurrency trading platforms.
Related: Granbury residents sue Marathon Digital Holdings over noise from crypto mine
SEC Statement
The actions taken by the SEC are designed to ensure that those responsible for fraudulent activities are held accountable, particularly as these schemes have reportedly victimized retail investors by luring them with misleading promises of profitability in the unpredictable cryptocurrency markets. Sanjay Wadhwa, Deputy Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, underscored the importance of these charges, stating: “Today’s enforcement actions reaffirm that retail investors are being exploited by fraudulent practices perpetrated by institutional players in the crypto asset markets.
With so-called promoters and self-proclaimed market makers collaborating to mislead the investing public with false profit assurances, investors must remain vigilant, as the odds may be stacked against them.”
The SEC has raised alarms regarding the increasing susceptibility of the crypto asset market to manipulation, particularly as these assets are continuously marketed and sold to the public as securities. Jorge G. Tenreiro, Acting Chief of the Division of Enforcement’s Crypto Asset and Cyber Unit (CACU), voiced his concerns regarding the extent of the deception: “The individuals behind these fraudulent schemes are reaping substantial profits at the cost of investors who have been misled into these markets, resulting in the loss of their hard-earned savings. We are dedicated to identifying and addressing such misconduct, especially when it pertains to securities.”
Legal Action and Charges
The five complaints filed by the SEC were submitted to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. These complaints allege that all defendants have breached the antifraud and market manipulation provisions of U.S. securities laws, with some defendants also accused of failing to meet registration requirements.
- The SEC is pursuing various forms of relief in these matters, which include:
- Permanent injunctions to prevent the defendants from further violations of securities laws.
- Conduct-based injunctions to restrict specific actions related to market manipulation.
- Disgorgement of illicit profits, along with interest, to recover earnings obtained through unlawful activities.
- Civil penalties aimed at deterring future infractions.
Bars against certain officers and directors to prevent them from holding leadership roles in any companies regulated by the SEC.
In a notable development, three principal defendants — Armand, Hernandez, and Pham — have consented to settle the charges through bifurcated settlements. This settlement, which awaits court approval, would impose a permanent injunction against them for any further violations of federal securities laws and enforce conduct-based injunctions. Moreover, they would be prohibited from serving as officers or directors of any public companies. The court will subsequently determine the final amounts for disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties applicable to these defendants.
Related: Legal Strategies for Mitigating Risks in Cryptocurrency Investments
FBI and Criminal Actions
In a concurrent criminal investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts have initiated actions against the individuals implicated in these fraudulent activities. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has commended the collaboration among agencies, which has facilitated both civil and criminal actions against the offenders.
These cases exemplify a comprehensive approach by regulatory and law enforcement bodies to combat market manipulation within the increasingly popular and occasionally volatile realm of cryptocurrency assets. As the SEC persists in its efforts to monitor and investigate fraudulent practices in the cryptocurrency sector, these enforcement actions serve as a cautionary message to potential manipulators that their conduct will be scrutinized and met with consequences. Investors are advised to exercise vigilance and conduct thorough research on cryptocurrency market offerings prior to investing their funds.
Related: FTX Founder and Celebrity Backers Sued Amid Crypto Collapse
Crypto
LAB Token Crashes 80% to $1.25 as $5B Market Cap Vanishes in 48 Hours
Key Takeaways
- LAB token cratered 90% over 48 hours, wiping out billions in market cap.
- ZachXBT slammed top centralized exchanges for failing to halt the July manipulation.
- Investors surged to avoid trading LAB as team token unlocks are set for later in July 2026.
LAB Trade Blames ‘Large Market Participants’
LAB, the native token of the multi-chain trading platform LAB Trade, suffered a catastrophic collapse this week, plunging from just over $7 to $1.25 on Wednesday—a staggering 80% decline in under 24 hours. This crash followed an equally brutal sell-off on Tuesday, which saw the token slide from nearly $17. In total, LAB wiped out nearly 90% of its value in just 48 hours.
The financial fallout was swift: a market capitalization that exceeded $5 billion on Tuesday morning evaporated to just $390 million by 3:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday. The freefall prompted the LAB Trade team to address the panic on X, where they expressed disappointment and deflected blame toward external heavy-sellers:
“While today’s market activity is disappointing, our product roadmap and long-term focus remain unchanged. We’re seeing significant selling pressure from large market participants. Several independent trading firms also hold substantial LAB positions that are not affiliated with our team. We’re working closely with our liquidity partners and continue to monitor market conditions,” the team said on X.
With this crash, LAB joins a notorious lineup of volatile tokens, such as RAVE, RIVER and SIREN. Each of these projects experienced meteoric rises followed by near-instantaneous erasures, sparking widespread “pump-and-dump” allegations against their respective teams and murky distribution networks.
Crypto Sleuth Slams Centralized Exchanges
Prominent on-chain detective ZachXBT, who previously flagged suspicious insider loans and market-maker coordination back in May, blasted major centralized exchanges ( CEXs) for failing to protect retail investors. Taking to X, ZachXBT criticized the lack of proactive intervention:
“Disappointing to see how no action was taken by Binance, Bitget, and Gate earlier to prevent it. If CEXs cared, profits from the accounts manipulating the price would be distributed to users at a minimum. Unlocks for investors were scheduled to begin later this month, however, multiple late vesting changes occurred in the past.”
ZachXBT reiterated his previous warnings that insiders have effectively controlled the entire circulating supply, allowing market makers to orchestrate extreme price manipulation on major exchanges. His final advice to the community was blunt: avoid trading LAB under any circumstances.
ZachXBT Names RAVE, RIVER, SIREN, and LAB as Victims of Bitget-Enabled Market Maker Fraud
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has renewed his assault on Bitget, accusing the exchange of knowingly enabling market makers to run supply…
ZachXBT Names RAVE, RIVER, SIREN, and LAB as Victims of Bitget-Enabled Market Maker Fraud
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has renewed his assault on Bitget, accusing the exchange of knowingly enabling market makers to run supply…
ZachXBT Names RAVE, RIVER, SIREN, and LAB as Victims of Bitget-Enabled Market Maker Fraud
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has renewed his assault on Bitget, accusing the exchange of knowingly enabling market makers to run supply…
Crypto
Residents question proposed crypto mining center
STARKVILLE – Potentially higher utility bills and sound pollution topped the list of concerns raised by six residents who addressed the board of aldermen Tuesday about a cryptocurrency mining facility proposed for Industrial Park Road.
Vice Mayor Roy Perkins, who represents Ward 6, said he has fielded similar concerns from constituents following the board’s June 12 work session, during which members heard a presentation about the potential project.
“I know these things need to have full accountability, full transparency and different things,” Perkins said. “… Well you can rest assured the vice mayor is going to be on assignment. I’m going to do my part. I’m not going to do anything that’s going to negatively impact this community.”
The proposed facility would be a specialized type of data center designed to mine cryptocurrency, a digital currency that operates independently of government-backed financial systems. It is stored in digital wallets and fluctuates in value.
Mining facilities use specialized computers that draw large energy loads to secure the digital transactions that take place. The center proposed in Starkville would be much smaller than “hyperscale data centers” that store and process data for large tech companies.
Utility usage topped the concerns of most residents with Pam Jones, the first to speak, set the tone.
“I understand that this is on a smaller scale than the hyper-scale facilities, and I just wanted to be sure that we had ordinances in place that will count the noise, especially at night and that there will be water and power management,” Jones said.
Other residents took issue with what they see as a lack of transparency around the proposed project.
“I was quite disappointed to learn (the mining facility) was not an agenda item today,” said Eadie Keenan, a Ward 7 resident. “… Quite frankly, I have more questions than can fit in three minutes.”
Tiffany Womack, another Starkville resident, echoed Kennan’s concerns, adding utility usage and market volatility to her own list of issues.
“If (the center was) to go bankrupt or something like that, would that possibly fall back on the responsibility of Starkville citizens?” Womack asked.
Mayor Lynn Spruill did not answer each question individually, instead encouraging those with questions to watch the June 12 presentation. Due to the project’s early stage, she noted the board does not yet know answers to all the questions raised during Tuesday’s meeting.
“I brought (the center) to the board as an opportunity for us to begin that process of learning so we are nowhere near making a decision,” Spruill said. “Which is why it isn’t on the agenda and won’t be on the agenda for some time.”
Spruill said the proposed center is currently going through the staff vetting process. Once the process is complete, staff will make a recommendation to the board on whether to pursue the center. At that time, Spruill expects to be able to answer residents’ remaining questions.
Spruill said transparency is important to her and the board while going through the process of vetting the mining center.
“Nothing is being hidden. It’s all out there for everybody to see, and we’ll make decisions based on facts not on Facebook craziness,” Spruill said. “… We want facts, and we want all decisions to be made with facts. And so hopefully that will put some of your concerns (to rest), at least to the extent that this is nowhere near something that will be on the agenda.”
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Crypto
Jim Rickards Asked Robert Kiyosaki to Read One Manuscript, Then His View of Global Finance Changed
Key Takeaways
- Robert Kiyosaki said a manuscript shared by Jim Rickards changed how he views global finance.
- Kiyosaki warned commonly held financial assets could face pressure as financial rules shift across markets.
- His claims remain warnings, with evidence and future market developments still central.
Why Did One Manuscript Change Robert Kiyosaki’s View?
Robert Kiyosaki, the author of the best-selling personal finance book Rich Dad Poor Dad, said an advance manuscript of “The Entropy Trap” shared by Jim Rickards prompted him to rethink how he views global finance. Rickards is an economist, lawyer, and financial commentator known for writing about currencies, debt, and systemic market risk. Kiyosaki said the early reading changed his perspective on where the financial system may be headed.
The reaction was framed around a warning about financial change. The book, written by Mickey M. Maini, “blew my mind and opened my eyes to what & why global financial change is coming,” Kiyosaki described. His comments focused on what he described as a shift in the rules behind wealth, assets, and trust.
The central claim is that wealth could move away from people relying on traditional financial assumptions. Kiyosaki asserted:
“The informed will be tomorrow’s ULTRA RICH. Todays uniformed operating by the old rules of money… will become the new poor.”
The Warning Behind the Claim
The warning centers on assets that depend on trust, including U.S. bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and mutual funds. Kiyosaki framed those instruments as vulnerable under the financial shift he says is coming, placing commonly held investment products at the center of the risk.
That claim is severe, but he presented it as a warning rather than a proven outcome. He also pointed to large bondholders, including Japan, saying they have already started dumping U.S. bonds. He did not provide supporting data in the statement.
The acclaimed author shared:
“Message from book… ‘All assets that require trust, assets that most people have… such as U.S. bonds, ETFs, mutual funds will be flushed down toilets, all over the world.’”
The broader conflict is whether traditional financial assets remain reliable under the conditions Kiyosaki described. His framing divides investors between those preparing for a changed financial system and those still operating under assumptions he says may no longer hold.
What Still Needs to Be Proven
A planned August study session could clarify the warning Kiyosaki described. He said his study team would examine the message and that Rickards may join, though the evidence behind the claims has not yet been laid out.
For now, the warning rests on Kiyosaki’s account of a manuscript that changed his view. He urged readers to prepare, writing:
“I want you to be one of the world’s new rich.”
What remains unknown is whether market data, policy moves, or investor behavior will confirm the risk he described.
His recent commentary has focused on what he describes as fragility in the global monetary system, particularly around the U.S. dollar. He has pointed to rising debt, central bank policies, and inflation as risks that could trigger a sharp market downturn.
Alongside those concerns, he has repeatedly highlighted bitcoin, gold, and silver as alternative stores of value. In his view, those assets may help reduce exposure to traditional financial instruments during periods of currency weakness and market turbulence.
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