SEC and CFTC Sue Goliath Ventures Over $400M Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme

cryptonews.ruPublicado em 2026-08-12Última atualização em 2026-08-12

Resumo

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have filed separate civil lawsuits against Goliath Ventures and its founder, Christopher Delgado, over an alleged $400 million cryptocurrency pyramid scheme. The SEC alleges Goliath raised at least $425 million from over 1,300 investors through an unregistered securities offering, promising to place funds in crypto asset liquidity pools. Instead, the funds were not invested, and Delgado misappropriated at least $51 million for personal use. The CFTC's separate complaint states that around 1,600 clients deposited at least $397 million for purported Bitcoin and Ether trading. Goliath promised monthly returns of 3% to 10%, allegedly from trader fees, and guaranteed principal safety. However, it operated as a Ponzi scheme, using new investor funds to pay earlier ones, while fabricating account statements. The scheme collapsed in late 2025 when it could no longer attract sufficient funds. Delgado has agreed to a two-part settlement with the SEC, which would permanently bar him from securities law violations and participating in the securities industry, pending court approval. He previously pleaded guilty to related criminal charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering. The U.S. Department of Justice noted Goliath raised at least $400 million, causing investor losses of at least $250 million. Delgado has agreed to forfeit assets including real estate, vehicles, and cryp...

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have filed separate civil lawsuits against Goliath Ventures and its founder, Christopher Delgado, over an alleged cryptocurrency-based Ponzi scheme that raised approximately $400 million.

The SEC stated that Goliath raised at least $425 million from over 1,300 investors through an unregistered securities offering. Investors were promised that their money would be placed into crypto asset liquidity pools. However, the agency alleges that the company did not invest the funds or crypto assets, and that Delgado misappropriated at least $51 million for personal use.

In a separate lawsuit, the CFTC reported that about 1,600 clients deposited at least $397 million after Goliath began soliciting funds to trade Bitcoin and Ether. The agency is seeking restitution, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, civil penalties, a ban on Delgado from trading and registration, and a permanent injunction.

The lawsuits add civil securities and commodities law claims to a criminal case. In that case, the accused has already pleaded guilty, and the agencies can now pursue investor compensation, fines, and market participation bans beyond the consequences provided for in Delgado's plea agreement.

Delgado Agrees to Settle SEC Case

The SEC stated that Goliath promised monthly returns of 3% to 10%. The company claimed it paid this from fees charged to traders using the liquidity pools and guaranteed investors the safety of their principal. According to the complaint, instead, the company used funds and crypto assets from new and existing investors to pay previous ones, and falsified account balances and performance metrics.

The SEC reported that Goliath paid commissions to sales agents who recruited investors. According to the agency, by November 2025, the company could no longer raise funds quickly enough to meet its obligations, halted monthly payments, and collapsed.

Related: "I Let Them Down": Goliath Ventures CEO Charged in Crypto Ponzi Scheme Apologizes

Delgado has agreed to a two-part settlement, pending court approval. It will permanently bar him from violating the securities law provisions cited in the complaint. He will also be prohibited from participating in securities transactions, except for personal account operations, and from associating with a broker or dealer. The court will determine the amount of disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and a civil penalty.

Delgado previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. On June 30, the U.S. Department of Justice reported that Goliath had paid out at least $400 million, and Delgado admitted to causing at least $250 million in losses to investors. He also agreed to forfeit real estate, vehicles, luxury items, bank accounts, and crypto wallets linked to the scheme.

Magazine: Japanese Pension Fund Puts 1% in Crypto, G7 Urges Action on N. Korean Hackers: Asia Express

Perguntas relacionadas

QWhat is the total amount of money that Goliath Ventures is accused of raising in its alleged pyramid scheme, according to the article?

AAccording to the article, the SEC stated that Goliath Ventures raised at least $425 million from over 1,300 investors, and the CFTC stated that it raised at least $397 million from about 1,600 clients. The DOJ reported that Goliath took in at least $400 million.

QWhat are the U.S. regulatory bodies that filed separate civil lawsuits against Goliath Ventures and its founder?

AThe U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed separate civil lawsuits against Goliath Ventures and its founder, Christopher Delgado.

QWhat did Goliath Ventures promise its investors, and how did it allegedly use the funds instead?

AGoliath Ventures promised investors monthly returns of 3% to 10%, claiming these profits came from trading fees from liquidity pools, and guaranteed the safety of the principal. Instead, the company allegedly used funds and crypto-assets from new and existing investors to pay previous investors, fabricated account balances and performance data, and founder Christopher Delgado misappropriated at least $51 million for personal use.

QWhat were the terms of the settlement agreement that Christopher Delgado reached with the SEC, as described in the article?

ADelgado agreed to a two-part settlement with the SEC, pending court approval. The agreement permanently bars him from violating securities laws cited in the complaint, prohibits him from participating in securities transactions (except for personal account dealings), and bars him from being associated with any broker or dealer. A court will determine the amount of disgorgement, pre-judgment interest, and a civil penalty.

QWhat specific charges did Christopher Delgado plead guilty to in the criminal case related to this scheme?

AIn the criminal case, Christopher Delgado pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.

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