Former Cred execs face wire fraud and money laundering charges

As a researcher with a background in finance and experience investigating financial fraud cases, I find the recent charges against three former executives of Cred for wire fraud and money laundering to be deeply concerning. The alleged predatory and deceptive scheme, as described by authorities, could potentially have defrauded investors of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency.


As a researcher investigating the case of Cred, I’ve discovered that three ex-executives of this bankrupt cryptocurrency lender have recently been indicted on charges related to wire fraud and money laundering activities. These alleged offenses reportedly occurred before the company filed for bankruptcy in November 2020.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California expressed their commitment to eradicating deceitful actors from our financial markets and ensuring a secure environment for investors through this prosecution, as stated on May 3.

As a financial analyst, I can share that Daniel Schatt, who previously held the position of CEO, and Joseph Podulka, the former CFO, are currently facing accusations of 13 offenses related to wire fraud and money laundering. Additionally, James Alexander, the ex-CCO, is being charged with four counts in this case.

“Mark Mosley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, pointed out a cunning and misleading scam that swindled unsuspecting victims out of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency.”

Former Cred execs face wire fraud and money laundering charges

In November 2020, when Cred filed for bankruptcy, many concerned users took to social media to query about the safety of their funds following the announcement made by CryptoMoon.

According to prosecutors, the three executives are accused of deceiving customers regarding the true nature of Cred’s lending and investment procedures.

According to reports, Cred is said to have limited his engagements to “secured or insured lending,” described his cryptocurrency holdings as “risk-mitigated,” and emphasized his commitment to an “unwavering investment strategy” to shield against market fluctuations.

Instead, the prosecution argued that Cred’s lending activities lacked both collateral and guarantees.

Schatt and Podulka made their initial appearance in court on May 2, with a requirement to come back on May 8 for entering their pleas. A date for Alexander’s first court appearance has not been announced yet.

As the former CEO of crypto lender Alex Mashinsky readies for his September 2024 sentencing, seven felony accusations loom over him in relation to the company’s collapse in July 2022.

As a researcher studying the recent developments in the crypto lending industry, I’ve come across Genesis, yet another firm that filed for bankruptcy in January 2023. To address its financial obligations towards creditors, Genesis took a significant step by liquidating approximately 36 million shares of Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) on April 2. This action yielded around $2.1 billion worth of Bitcoin.

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2024-05-04 03:57