Bitconnect Promoter Claims FBI Investigating Defunct Crypto Scheme

Bitconnect promoter Trevon James confirmed Monday that he is speaking with an FBI agent over his involvement with the defunct investment scheme.

AccessTimeIconMar 6, 2018 at 9:05 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 8:24 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Former Bitconnect investor and promoter Trevon James is now claiming he spoke to the FBI about the now-defunct exchange and his involvement with the project.

In a YouTube video posted Monday, James further confirmed that he will be testifying about his role with the project in 10 days, though he did not specify what type of hearing this would be. That said, he indicated his knowledge of the exchange was limited, and that he did have any information about its plans or roadmap.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • James said he expected his testimony to be similar to the 90-minute conversation he claims to have had with the FBI agent, wherein he explained his experience with Bitconnect as a user.

    He continued, saying, "I'm glad that I don't know anything so that means there's no proof that I knew anything."

    However, his testimony may not be strictly related to Bitconnect’s shutdown or its operations, he said, adding:

    “It’s really about the SEC. Testimony is really important you know, for the entire crypto space because ... it’s about securities. Is Bitconnect a security, are cryptocurrencies, can they be considered securities? That’s what it’s about, it’s not about whether I scammed people.”

    “It’s about whether Bitconnect is a security and whether I knew,” James concluded.

    Stepping back, the SEC has been opening up on its attitudes toward token sales of late, allegedly issuing a plethora of subpoenas to startups that have launched initial coin offerings (ICOs). It is unclear what information the agency is looking for or which groups have received the legal documentation so far.

    Still, the move also comes weeks after chairman Jay Clayton described every token sale as a securities sale, and James' comments shed additional light on what has so far been an opaque investigation.

    So far, no token sale has been registered with the SEC, Clayton said at the time, though he followed up by stating he would like to draw more of a distinction between cryptocurrencies and ICOs.

    "ICOs that are securities offerings, we should regulate them like we regulate securities offerings. End of story," he said.

    The FBI did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

    Trevon James image via YouTube

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.