Canadian ‘Crypto King’ Fraud Trial Heads to Jury Deliberations

The criminal trial of Aiden Pleterski, a self-described “crypto king” accused of operating a digital-asset Ponzi scheme, is headed to jury deliberations in Canada. According to CBC, jurors are expected to begin deliberations on Thursday after Justice Shaun Naktsuru delivers his final instructions following closing arguments.

Canadian authorities allege that Pleterski defrauded followers on social media of approximately $30 million between 2021 and 2022. He was charged with fraud in 2024 and has represented himself throughout the trial, which began after he spent more than two years awaiting his court date. Pleterski maintained his innocence at the close of the case, saying: “I am innocent of these charges.”

If convicted, Pleterski could receive a prison sentence of up to 14 years. His case highlights continued regulatory and law-enforcement scrutiny of prominent figures in the crypto industry. Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, another high-profile crypto executive convicted of fraud, is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States following his 2023 conviction.

Pleterski is also involved in a separate criminal case involving his alleged attackers. Five men, some of whom were reportedly victims of his investment scheme, were charged with kidnapping and torturing him in 2022. Deren Akyeam-Pong has pleaded guilty to nine charges and is awaiting sentencing.