# Ponzi Scheme Related Articles

HTX News Center provides the latest articles and in-depth analysis on "Ponzi Scheme", covering market trends, project updates, tech developments, and regulatory policies in the crypto industry.

DOJ plans to end prosecution of alleged BitClub mastermind in $722M crypto fraud case

The U.S. Department of Justice plans to dismiss its criminal case with prejudice against Matthew Goettsche, the alleged founder of the BitClub Network cryptocurrency investment scheme, as reported by Bloomberg Law. This move would potentially end one of the longest-running crypto fraud prosecutions, nearly seven years after Goettsche and co-defendants were accused of operating a global scheme that allegedly defrauded investors of at least $722 million. While the DOJ is preparing the dismissal, no formal motion had been filed at the time of the report. A DOJ spokesperson cited a routine review of long-running cases and noted the government is recovering substantial funds for victims. The dismissal appears specific to Goettsche; several co-defendants have already pleaded guilty to offenses related to the alleged Ponzi scheme.

ambcrypto07/10 21:56

DOJ plans to end prosecution of alleged BitClub mastermind in $722M crypto fraud case

ambcrypto07/10 21:56

CFTC accuses fund manager of hiding crypto, futures losses behind fake investor returns

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has charged Trevor L. Vernon and his firm, Argent Capital Management LLC, with fraud. The complaint alleges that from March 2022 to February 2026, they solicited over $14.8 million from at least 60 investors for a commodity pool, falsely portraying it as consistently profitable. In reality, the fund allegedly suffered massive losses exceeding $8.6 million from trading futures, options, and cryptocurrencies, including over $108,000 in crypto losses from Vernon's personal exchange accounts. The CFTC accuses the defendants of concealing these losses by distributing fake performance reports and operating a Ponzi-like scheme, using new investor funds to pay earlier participants. The regulator is seeking investor restitution, civil penalties, and permanent trading bans. The allegations are unproven and the case is proceeding in federal court.

ambcrypto07/08 14:51

CFTC accuses fund manager of hiding crypto, futures losses behind fake investor returns

ambcrypto07/08 14:51

Will the STRC Issue Price Determined by ChatGPT Really Fall into a Death Spiral?

"Strategy's" (STRC) preferred share, a financial instrument designed by CEO Michael Saylor in consultation with AI to trade steadily at $100, faces mounting pressure. Since its July 2025 launch alongside a ~40% Bitcoin price drop, STRC has traded at a steep discount, hitting a low of $82.53. This discount pushes its effective dividend yield above 12.9%. The core debate revolves around whether STRC's structure is sustainable or a "centralized Ponzi scheme," as economist Peter Schiff claims. The mechanism relies on issuing new shares ("at-the-market" offerings) to fund Bitcoin purchases and dividend payments. However, the deep discount has paused these ATM offerings, slowing Bitcoin accumulation and forcing a minor sale of 32 BTC to cover obligations. Proponents, like The Smarter Web Company's Jesse Myers, argue the sell-off is a leveraged unwinding, not a fundamental failure. They note Strategy has ample resources to cover dividends for years if Bitcoin appreciates modestly. The deep discount also makes STRC attractive for yield-seeking buyers, as dividends are calculated on the $100 face value. The key test is whether Strategy can maintain dividends without sustained Bitcoin sales. A critical watchpoint is June 30th, when STRC switches to semi-monthly dividends. An automatic rule will likely raise the dividend rate further because the price remains below $95$, potentially creating a "death spiral": lower prices trigger higher yields, increasing the cash burden and forcing more dilution or asset sales. The question of whether this AI-designed "flywheel" is a stable instrument or a flawed accelerator will be answered by its price action and Strategy's funding choices in the coming months.

链捕手06/23 09:32

Will the STRC Issue Price Determined by ChatGPT Really Fall into a Death Spiral?

链捕手06/23 09:32

Saylor Says Strategy’s Bitcoin Credit Model Is Not A Ponzi Scheme

Michael Saylor defended MicroStrategy's Bitcoin-backed credit model against criticisms that it resembles a Ponzi scheme, emphasizing the company monetizes Bitcoin's capital gains rather than relying on perpetual equity issuance. He clarified his famous "never sell your Bitcoin" stance, stating the more precise strategy is to never be a *net seller*. The company's recent announcement that it might sell Bitcoin to fund dividends on its STRC preferred instrument sparked debate. Saylor explained the core model: issuing credit to buy Bitcoin, expecting its long-term appreciation to exceed dividend costs, analogous to a real estate firm. He argued that even if Bitcoin is sold for dividends, ongoing credit issuance ensures the company remains a net buyer, especially if Bitcoin appreciates more than the dividend yield. Saylor dismissed critics like Peter Schiff, stating their objections stem from rejecting Bitcoin's legitimacy itself. He described STRC as overcollateralized "digital credit" designed to offer yield while mitigating volatility.

bitcoinist05/11 14:59

Saylor Says Strategy’s Bitcoin Credit Model Is Not A Ponzi Scheme

bitcoinist05/11 14:59

The Life and Death of 2021's Star Projects: Who Remains from the Frenzy of Investments?

The article "2021 Star Projects: Survival or Demise? Who's Left from the Heavily Funded Craze?" reflects on the crypto boom of 2021, a year marked by record-breaking valuations, massive NFT sales, and a wave of venture capital flooding into Web3 projects. That year, crypto startups raised $25.2 billion—a 713% increase from 2020. However, four years later, most of the top 400 highly-funded projects have collapsed or become inactive. Notable failures include centralized finance platforms like FTX, which raised $1.32 billion before its fraudulent collapse in 2022, and Celsius Network, which promised high yields but saw its token plummet 99.73%. Other lending platforms like BlockFi and Voyager Digital also crumbled during the liquidity crisis. NFT and metaverse projects, once hyped as revolutionary, largely failed. Axie Infinity, which raised $159.5 million, saw its token drop 99.49% as its play-to-earn economy proved unsustainable. The Sandbox, a metaverse project that raised $93 million, now sits mostly empty despite initial land sales. The piece concludes that most projects were products of a speculative bubble, with less than 5% creating lasting value. As a new cycle begins, it questions which of today’s projects will survive when the hype recedes.

marsbit12/24 07:29

The Life and Death of 2021's Star Projects: Who Remains from the Frenzy of Investments?

marsbit12/24 07:29

Shorting the Prediction Market

The author critiques the growing influence of prediction markets, arguing they distort truth and social reality rather than reflect it. While proponents claim these markets, fueled by real-money bets, offer a more accurate alternative to traditional polls and expert opinions, the author contends they operate like a Keynesian “beauty contest,” where participants bet on what others will think rather than on objective truth. This dynamic, combined with a lack of natural hedgers, creates a system dominated by insiders and doomed to collapse once “dumb money” is exhausted. The piece highlights how large bets can manipulate outcomes by influencing media coverage and public perception, turning probability signals into self-fulfilling prophecies. This undermines social stability, as the markets incentivize disruption rather than security. The author posits that society is reaching a peak in “gambling culture” and predicts a eventual rejection of hyper-financialization in favor of real-world experiences and deeper human connections. Ultimately, to “short” prediction markets is to go long on human agency and life itself—choosing to step away from the virtual casino and back into the sunlight.

marsbit12/08 03:41