Alexander Savenkov The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has initiated legal proceedings against Stephen Ehrlich, the former Chief Executive Officer of the now-defunct cryptocurrency lending platform, Voyager Digital. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, accuses Ehrlich and Voyager Digital of committing fraud as well as violations pertaining to registration requirements. The regulator has also indicated that Voyager Digital operated an unauthorized commodity pool.
The CFTC’s allegations further assert that Ehrlich and the firm misled investors by portraying Voyager as a secure platform promising up to 12% in high-yield returns. This characterization was employed to entice customers into purchasing and storing their digital assets with Voyager. Ian McGinley, the Director of Enforcement at the CFTC, commented on the matter:
Contrary to the claims made to their clientele, Ehrlich and Voyager engaged in egregiously irresponsible conduct concerning customer assets. This resulted in the bankruptcy of Voyager and significant financial losses for their customers.
The CFTC also detailed that Ehrlich and Voyager transferred enormous sums of their customers’ digital assets as “loans” to high-risk external entities. Specifically, the CFTC cited an incident from early 2022 where over $650 million in customer funds were transferred to a digital asset hedge fund identified as “Firm A,” without adequate due diligence.
Voyager declared bankruptcy in July of 2022, in the midst of fluctuating cryptocurrency markets and following the default of a $650 million loan by the Three Arrows Capital hedge fund. The company’s downfall led to the loss of $1.7 billion for its U.S. customers.
Ian McGinley further noted that as the firm began its downward spiral, the fraudulent activities escalated. Ehrlich and Voyager continued to misrepresent the company’s financial stability to its customers. Their activities not only constituted fraud but also violated regulations that required them to be registered with the CFTC, a requirement they did not fulfill.
Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which oversees consumer protection and antitrust matters in the U.S., has filed a separate lawsuit against Ehrlich. The FTC’s lawsuit accuses him of misleadingly suggesting that customer assets were insured under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, thereby violating both the FTC Act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
Responding to the charges, Ehrlich stated he was “shocked and greatly distressed” by the allegations levied by both regulatory bodies. He further contended that he has been unfairly made a “scapegoat” and shifted blame to other industry players for the losses incurred by Voyager’s customers and creditors.
(Note: The article does not include a comments section. Therefore, reader opinions on the legal steps undertaken by the CFTC and FTC against Stephen Ehrlich and Voyager Digital will not be collected.)
Table Of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CFTC Lawsuit Against Voyager Digital’s Former CEO for Fraud
What are the allegations made by the CFTC against Stephen Ehrlich and Voyager Digital?
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has accused Stephen Ehrlich, the former CEO of Voyager Digital, and the company of committing fraud. They are alleged to have misled investors by promising high-yield returns of up to 12% while violating derivatives rules. Additionally, the CFTC claims that Voyager operated an unregistered commodity pool.
What actions did Stephen Ehrlich and Voyager Digital take that led to customer losses and bankruptcy?
Ehrlich and Voyager Digital are accused of transferring customers’ digital assets as “loans” to high-risk third parties, including a hedge fund called “Firm A,” without conducting proper due diligence. These actions, along with the default of a $650 million loan by the Three Arrows Capital hedge fund, resulted in Voyager’s bankruptcy and substantial customer losses totaling $1.7 billion.
What legal action has the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) taken against Stephen Ehrlich and Voyager Digital?
The FTC, a U.S. consumer protection and antitrust agency, has filed a lawsuit against Stephen Ehrlich and Voyager Digital. They allege that Ehrlich falsely claimed that customer assets were protected by Federal Deposit Insurance, which is a violation of both the FTC Act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
How did Stephen Ehrlich respond to the allegations?
Stephen Ehrlich expressed shock and distress at the allegations, stating that he felt like a “scapegoat.” He shifted blame onto other industry players for the losses suffered by Voyager’s customers and creditors.
What were the consequences of Voyager Digital’s bankruptcy?
Voyager Digital’s bankruptcy had significant repercussions, leading to substantial financial losses for its U.S. customers totaling $1.7 billion. The company’s collapse occurred amid volatile cryptocurrency markets and the default of a substantial loan from a hedge fund.
What is the jurisdiction where the legal actions against Stephen Ehrlich and Voyager Digital are taking place?
The legal actions against Stephen Ehrlich and Voyager Digital are being pursued in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, indicating that this is the jurisdiction where the cases will be heard and adjudicated.
More about CFTC Lawsuit Against Voyager Digital’s Former CEO for Fraud
- CFTC Sues Former CEO of Crypto Lender Voyager for Fraud
- U.S. Commodities Regulator Takes Legal Action Against Former Chief Executive of Voyager
- FTC Sues Voyager Digital’s Ex-CEO Stephen Ehrlich for False Claims
- Three Arrows Capital’s Default and Its Impact on Voyager’s Bankruptcy
- Federal Deposit Insurance and Its Relevance to Voyager’s Case
- Statement from Stephen Ehrlich Regarding the Allegations
3 comments
Wondrin’ how dis affect crypto regs. Need more oversight in crypto world.
12% returns sounded too good. Always do due dilijence before investin’.
ehrlich say scapegoat, but no excus for bad actions. CFTC do job, protect investors!