Canada 'Crypto King' Aiden Pleterski's Ponzi-Fraud Trial Goes to Jury

The trial of Aiden Pleterski, who is accused in Canada of cryptocurrency investment fraud, has gone to the jury. Pleterski, known as the "Crypto King," has pleaded not guilty.

Jurors began deliberations after receiving final instructions from Justice Shawn Nakatsuru, CBC reported on October 28, citing Cointelegraph. Pleterski was charged in 2024 with defrauding his social media followers of about $30 million in 2021 and 2022.

Representing himself, Pleterski said in his closing statement, "I am not guilty of these charges," adding that "if I had not been forced to defend myself, my innocence would have been proven." He faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted.

Separately, a kidnapping and torture case involving Pleterski is being tried on its own. Five men were charged with kidnapping and torturing him in 2022. One of them, Daren Akiam-Fong, pleaded guilty to nine charges and is awaiting sentencing.