Celsius Founder Alex Mashinsky Sentenced to 12 Years for Crypto Fraud
Alex Mashinsky, founder and former CEO of Celsius Network, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for defrauding hundreds of thousands of customers through deceptive practices tied to digital-asset deposits. The sentencing, handed down by US District Judge John Koeltl in Manhattan, follows Mashinsky’s guilty plea in December 2024.
Prosecutors had sought a 20-year term, arguing Mashinsky showed no remorse for misleading investors about the safety of their funds. The case centered on allegations of fraud, conspiracy, and market manipulation, with authorities claiming customer assets were misused to inflate Celsius’ valuation and its native cryptocurrency.