Do Kwon Pleads Guilty in Terraform Labs $40 Billion Collapse Case

Published at 2025-08-13 04:06:32
Do Kwon Pleads Guilty in Terraform Labs $40 Billion Collapse Case – cover image

Do Kwon, often called "the cryptocurrency king," has pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud in connection with the catastrophic $40 billion collapse of Terraform Labs' TerraUSD stablecoin and Luna cryptocurrency. This major legal development was announced in a Manhattan federal court, where Kwon admitted guilt for conspiring to commit commodities, securities, and wire fraud, as well as wire fraud on separate grounds.

Terraform Labs, co-founded by Kwon, had promoted TerraUSD as a secure investment option. However, its abrupt failure in May 2022 devastated investors globally, resulting in massive financial losses. Following his arrest in Montenegro in March 2023 over passport irregularities and extradition to the U.S., Kwon agreed to a plea deal that caps his prison sentence to a maximum of 12 years, significantly less than the 25 years recommended by federal sentencing guidelines.

As part of this plea agreement, Kwon will forfeit over $19 million in assets and relinquish his interests in Terraform Labs and its associated cryptocurrencies. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton commented that Kwon exploited the fervor around cryptocurrencies to execute one of history's largest financial frauds.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 11, marking a critical point in the quest for accountability in the crypto space.

For those looking to invest in cryptocurrencies with more security and flexibility, platforms like Bitlet.app offer innovative services such as Crypto Installments, allowing buyers to purchase crypto assets now and pay monthly, reducing upfront risk. This can be a helpful option amid the evolving regulatory and market landscape shaped by cases like Kwon's.

Stay informed on crypto news and smart investment strategies with Bitlet.ai and Bitlet.app.

Share on:

Related news

Japan Reclassifies Crypto as Financial Instruments, Tightens Rules

Japan’s cabinet has reclassified cryptocurrencies as financial instruments and will introduce bans on insider trading plus annual disclosure requirements for token issuers. The measures aim to strengthen investor protection and bring crypto closer to regulated markets.

U.S. Treasury Opens Hacker Alert Program to Crypto Firms

The U.S. Department of the Treasury will allow cryptocurrency companies to enroll in a program that delivers timely cybersecurity threat and hacker warning alerts, enabling faster information-sharing with federal authorities.

Binance to Delist Six Crypto Assets on April 23, 2026

Binance announced on X that it will delist six crypto assets, with removals taking effect April 23, 2026. Users should review the exchange notice and manage holdings before the deadline.

Zcash Surges 30% to $336 After US–Iran Ceasefire News

Zcash rallied over 30% on April 8 to $336.50 following reports of a US–Iran ceasefire, hitting its highest level since January. The privacy-focused token was among the day's top-performing assets.

Published at 2026-04-09 08:00:15
Iran Weighs Accepting Crypto as Transit Fees for Oil Tankers

The Financial Times reports Iran is considering accepting cryptocurrency and other digital payment methods as transit fees from fully loaded oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The move could shift how energy transit payments are processed and raise regulatory concerns.