Aiden Pleterski Crypto Fraud Trial Heads to Jury in Canada

Aiden Pleterski, the self-described Canadian “crypto king,” will go to jury deliberations after closing arguments in his fraud trial, according to CBC. The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Thursday after Justice Shaun Nakatsuru delivers his final instructions.

Prosecutors allege that Pleterski defrauded social media followers of approximately $30 million through a digital-asset Ponzi scheme between 2021 and 2022. He was charged with fraud in 2024 and has represented himself in court. Pleterski stated during closing arguments that he was innocent of the charges and had pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, Pleterski could receive a prison sentence of up to 14 years. His case highlights continuing scrutiny of high-profile figures accused of crypto fraud; former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, for example, is serving a 25-year sentence following his 2023 fraud conviction in the United States.

Pelterski also faced a separate criminal case involving five men, some of whom were reportedly victims of his alleged scheme, who were charged with kidnapping and torturing him in 2022. Deren Akyeam-Pong pleaded guilty to nine charges and is awaiting sentencing.