Justice Served: Crypto Trader Convicted of Fraud
A federal jury has convicted Avraham Eisenberg, a 28-year-old crypto trader, of fraud and market manipulation. The charges arise from his actions involving Mango Markets, a DeFi platform on the Solana blockchain.
Evidence of Manipulative Trading
Eisenberg was found guilty by a federal court in Manhattan of commodities fraud, commodities manipulation, and wire fraud. The trial revealed that Eisenberg engaged in a manipulative trading scheme on October 11, 2022, using accounts to execute simultaneous buy and sell orders for futures contracts.
- The trades inflated the value of his contracts by 1,300% in just 20 minutes
- Eisenberg managed to borrow against his artificially inflated holdings and withdrew approximately $110 million in cryptocurrencies
Jury’s Conclusion and Legal Action
Despite Eisenberg’s claims of lawfulness, the jury quickly reached a verdict. Eisenberg’s attorney plans to pursue post-trial motions to advocate for his client. Eisenberg has agreed to return $67 million under certain conditions to avoid legal action from other token holders.
Eisenberg’s Current Situation
Since his arrest in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 26, 2022, Eisenberg has been in custody. The FBI stresses accountability for fraudulent activities, including those in the cryptocurrency market. Eisenberg faces sentencing in July, with possible prison time of up to 20 years for wire fraud.
Hot Take: Accountability in Crypto Trading
Crypto traders must adhere to legal and ethical standards in their activities. Market manipulation and fraud have severe consequences, as demonstrated by Eisenberg’s conviction. Stay informed and trade responsibly in the cryptocurrency space to uphold the integrity of the market.