London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Sep 13, 2025

Winklevoss firm charged in US over crypto sales

Winklevoss firm charged in US over crypto sales

Cryptocurrency firms Gemini and Genesis have been charged by US regulators with illegally selling crypto assets to hundreds of thousands of investors.
The companies are accused of breaking the law by offering and selling the products through their joint programme, Gemini Earn, which launched in 2021.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is in charge of the case.

Gemini was co-founded by twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss - known for their legal dispute with Facebook.

Tyler called the complaint "disappointing", and said his company looks forward to defending itself.

Genesis, which is owned by the crypto conglomerate Digital Currency Group, has so far not commented on the charges.


Public feud
Gary Gensler, who chairs the SEC, said: "Today's charges build on previous actions to make clear to the marketplace and the investing public that crypto lending platforms and other intermediaries need to comply with our time-tested securities laws.

"Doing so best protects investors. It promotes trust in markets. It's not optional. It's the law."

Over the past week, a public feud has erupted between the Winklevoss brothers and Barry Silbert, the chief executive of Digital Currency Group, the parent company of Genesis.

It related to Gemini Earn, which was sold to investors as an opportunity to make up to 7.4% in interest on their crypto currency holdings.

When FTX filed for bankruptcy last November, Genesis halted customer withdrawals saying it lacked sufficient liquid assets because of the volatility of the market.

This had a knock-on impact for 340,000 customers using Gemini Earn, leaving them unable to take out their crypto assets.

Cameron Winklevoss claims Digital Currency Group owes $900m (£737m) to clients of his firm Gemini as a result and accused Mr Silbert's group of "defrauding" his customers.

A Digital Currency Group spokesperson rejected the accusations, saying they were "malicious, false and defamatory attacks" and describing them as a "desperate and unconstructive publicity stunt".

'Wild West'
The SEC regulates financial markets in the US and has enforcement powers to launch civil actions against companies it believes has breached laws.

Through its complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, it is seeking to hit both companies with civil penalties and make them repay "ill-gotten gains".

Earlier this week, Mr Gensler described crypto as the "Wild West".

These latest charges come as US officials crack down on the sector after the uproar caused by the bankruptcy of FTX and Alameda Research.

Their founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, is accused of fraud after diverting funds deposited by millions of customers on his FTX platform, and transferring them without authorisation to Alameda, a hedge fund.

Mr Bankman-Fried denies the charges.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Murdoch Family Finalises $3.3 Billion Succession Pact, Ensuring Eldest Son’s Leadership
Big Oil Slashes Jobs and Investments Amid Prolonged Low Crude Prices
Court Staff Cover Up Banksy Image of Judge Beating a Protester
Social Media Access Curtailed in Turkey After CHP Calls for Rallies Following Police Blockade of Istanbul Headquarters
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
Elon Musk Poised to Become First Trillionaire Under Ambitious Tesla Pay Plan
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
Burning the Minister’s House Helped Protesters to Win Justice: Prabowo Fires Finance Minister in Wake of Indonesia Protests
Brazil Braces for Fallout from Bolsonaro Trial by corrupted judge
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
Nearly 40 Years Later: Nike Changes the Legendary Slogan Just Do It
×