SafeMoon CEO John Karony Sentenced to 100 Months in Federal Prison
Braden John Karony, the former CEO of the controversial cryptocurrency project SafeMoon, has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison. The sentencing marks a significant legal resolution for a figure central to one of crypto's most notorious scandals.
A jury in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York convicted Karony in May 2025 on three counts: conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. With an offense level of 37 and criminal history category 1, Karony faced guidelines suggesting 210 to 262 months before receiving his 100-month sentence.
Victims described how Karony's assurances of legitimacy led to life-altering financial losses. "We believed Mr. Karony when he said this wasn't a rugpull," one testified. "That false security cost us our chance at homeownership." The defense argued Karony's youth—he was 25 when the scheme began—should mitigate his culpability.
