New York Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Genesis Global Capital, Gemini Trust, and Digital Currency Group
The New York Attorney General’s office has filed a lawsuit against Genesis Global Capital, Gemini Trust, and Digital Currency Group (DCG) for alleged fraudulent activities. The complaint also includes allegations against Soichiro Michael Moro, the former CEO of Genesis, and Barry E. Silbert, the founder and CEO of DCG.
Accusations of Fraudulent Activities
The lawsuit claims that the three entities defrauded 232,000 customers out of over $1 billion through two distinct fraudulent schemes known as the “Gemini Scheme” and the “DCG Scheme.”
The Gemini Scheme
According to the complaint, Gemini misrepresented the creditworthiness of Genesis Global when soliciting users for its Earn program. Users were offered yield on their idle cryptocurrencies through this program. However, Gemini allegedly deposited these holdings with Genesis Global without disclosing that it had rerated Genesis’ creditworthiness from investment grade to junk grade.
The DCG Scheme
The DCG Scheme involved concealing a “structural hole” at Genesis Capital worth over $1 billion following the collapse of Three Arrows Capital. The entities then allegedly misrepresented Genesis Capital’s financial condition to defraud users.
Public Spat Between Parties
This lawsuit comes amidst a public dispute between Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, founders of Gemini, and Barry Silbert, CEO of DCG. In January, Cameron Winklevoss called for Silbert to step down as CEO, accusing him of being unfit to run DCG. Silbert responded by calling it a “desperate and unconstructive publicity stunt.”
Hot Take: New York Attorney General Takes Action Against Cryptocurrency Companies
The New York Attorney General’s lawsuit against Genesis Global Capital, Gemini Trust, and Digital Currency Group highlights the alleged fraudulent activities in the crypto industry. With accusations of misrepresentations and concealment of financial conditions, this case sheds light on the importance of transparency and accountability in the cryptocurrency market. As regulators continue to scrutinize the industry, it becomes crucial for companies to uphold ethical practices and protect investors. This lawsuit serves as a reminder that fraudulent activities will not go unnoticed, emphasizing the need for increased regulatory oversight and consumer protection measures.