- Terraform Labs and co-founder Do Kwon found liable for fraud by New York jury.
- Terraform and Kwon refuse to pay $5.3 billion fine, citing majority of token sales occurring outside the US.
- SEC seeks substantial fine, alleging “ill-gotten gains” of over $4 billion and emphasizing need for accountability in cryptocurrency sector.
Terraform Labs Pte, along with its co-founder Do Kwon, has recently faced significant legal challenges after being found liable for fraud by a New York jury. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accused Terraform and Kwon, the creator of the failed TerraUSD stablecoin, of causing the collapse of the company in 2022, resulting in the loss of $40 billion in investor assets. This article delves into the key arguments presented by both sides and explores the dispute surrounding international jurisdiction.
The Fine Dispute
In response to the fraud allegations, Terraform and Do Kwon informed the judge that they would not pay the requested $5.3 billion fine imposed by US regulators. Their defense argued that since most of the company’s stablecoins were sold abroad, they should not be held accountable for the losses incurred by investors. Terraform’s lawyers emphasized that the “offers and sales of tokens occurred almost entirely outside the U.S.” and that the SEC failed to provide evidence linking Terraform and Kwon’s limited US activities to the significant losses suffered.
Fraud Conviction and SEC’s Plea for a Substantial Fine
Following a two-week trial, Terraform and Kwon were found liable for fraud on April 5. Subsequently, the SEC urged the judge to impose the $5.3 billion fine, which, if enforced, would be the largest penalty ever imposed on the crypto industry. The SEC’s filing emphasized the need to send a clear message that such egregious misconduct would not be tolerated, particularly in light of the increased scrutiny faced by the cryptocurrency sector.
Allegations of “Ill-Gotten Gains”
According to the SEC, Terraform and Kwon amassed over $4 billion in “ill-gotten gains” through the unregistered sales of tokens, including Luna and UST. The collapse of Terraform’s algorithmic stablecoin, UST, in 2022 resulted in a staggering $40 billion decline in market value. These allegations form a crucial part of the SEC’s argument, highlighting the magnitude of the losses suffered by investors and the purported misconduct of Terraform and Kwon.
International Jurisdiction and Do Kwon’s Role
Do Kwon’s lawyers, in a separate motion, contended that the SEC failed to demonstrate the “foreseeable substantial effect” of his work with Terraform within the United States. They argued that Mr. Kwon’s involvement in the conduct underlying the SEC’s requested judgement occurred solely in Korea and Singapore, without any direct impact on the US market.
Conclusion
The legal battle between Terraform Labs, Do Kwon, and the SEC revolves around allegations of fraud and substantial financial losses within the cryptocurrency industry. The defense argues that the majority of token sales occurred outside the United States, raising questions about the jurisdiction and authority of US regulators. The outcome of this case, including the potential imposition of a record-breaking fine, will significantly impact the cryptocurrency industry and shape the future role of regulatory bodies in overseeing its operations.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The article does not offer sufficient information to make investment decisions, nor does it constitute an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. The content is opinion of the author and does not reflect any view or suggestion or any kind of advise from CryptoNewsBytes.com. The author declares he does not hold any of the above mentioned tokens or received any incentive from any company.
