Crypto King’s Ponzi Trial Heads to the Jury: $30 Million and 14 Years on the Line

The criminal trial of Aiden Pleterski, a self-described “crypto king” accused of orchestrating a digital-asset Ponzi scheme, will enter jury deliberations after closing arguments this week. According to Wednesday reporting from CBC, jurors will begin deliberations on Thursday following final instructions from Justice Shaun Nakatsuru.

Pleterski allegedly defrauded his social media followers of about $30 million between 2021 and 2022. He was charged with fraud in 2024 and spent more than two years awaiting trial while representing himself in court. “I am innocent of these charges,” said Pleterski, according to CBC. “That is why I pled not guilty. Had I not been forced to represent myself, that would have been proven. That’s all I have to say.”

The fraud charge could result in a prison sentence of up to 14 years if Pleterski is convicted. His case is among several high-profile criminal proceedings involving figures linked to the crypto industry, including former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States following his 2023 fraud conviction.

A separate criminal case involving Pleterski includes kidnapping and torture allegations connected to his 2022 scheme. Five men, some of whom were reportedly victims, were charged in that case. Deren Akyeam-Pong pleaded guilty to nine charges and is awaiting sentencing.