CLS Global admits to wash trading, agrees to pay $428,059, and faces a ban on U.S. crypto transactions and services under plea deal.
Cls Global Pleads Guilty To Manipulating Fbi-Backed Token
The UAE-based company CLS Global agreed to accept U.S. charges that they manipulated the value of a special FBI-created cryptocurrency token used to fight crypto fraud.
The FBI’s first-ever operation to fight cryptocurrency fraud charged CLS Global as one of 15 individuals and three companies. Prosecutors say CLS Global provided illegal trading services to cryptocurrency companies and agreed to help manipulate the market for the FBI-backed NexFundAI token, which runs on the Ethereum blockchain.
The company told investigators it made fake trades to make the token’s price and trading activity look higher than they really were. CLS Global must pay $428,059 and cannot trade cryptocurrencies on U.S. platforms or serve U.S. clients.
To show it follows the rules, CLS Global must give proof of compliance once a year. The company also says it will pay back the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for breaking its rules.
The case shows regulators are paying closer attention to crypto companies, and shows how essential it is for these firms to follow U.S. rules when dealing with digital currencies.