Market Maker Faces Up to 25 Years in Prison for HMSTR Token Fraud
In a significant development, Gotbit CEO Alexey Andryunin was arrested in Portugal at the request of the FBI and is now awaiting extradition to the United States.
🐹 Gotbit Hedge Fund, which partnered with Hamster Kombat as a designated market maker for the #HMSTR token, has come under scrutiny. Following the arrest, the price of the $HMSTR token has plummeted by -12% in the last 24 hours, causing concern among investors.
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted 16 companies and more than a dozen individuals in a cryptocurrency fraud scheme, including Gotbit, ZM Quant, and CLS Global. The investigation resulted in four arrests, six plea bargains, and the seizure of more than $30 million in cryptocurrency.
For those who may have missed the news, here's a quick recap of what happened:
The FBI launched its own token, NexFundAI, built on the Ethereum blockchain to investigate fraudulent practices. The bureau approached various market makers (MMs) under the guise of a covert project, seeking their services.
In private conversations and messages with the FBI's undercover team, employees of these market maker firms revealed the algorithms they use to inflate trading volumes, create multiple wallets to distribute tokens, and manipulate markets.
The FBI labeled these practices as “wash trading,” “artificial transaction activity,” and “market manipulation,” leading to serious charges against the individuals and companies involved. If convicted, these individuals could face up to 25 years in prison for their role in manipulating cryptocurrency markets.
This case highlights the risks in the crypto space and the serious consequences of participating in fraudulent activities. Be vigilant and informed!
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