{"id":64019,"date":"2023-11-09T04:57:36","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T08:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/?p=64019"},"modified":"2023-11-09T04:57:39","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T08:57:39","slug":"sec-probes-terraform-labs-deal-with-former-jump-crypto-ceo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/sec-probes-terraform-labs-deal-with-former-jump-crypto-ceo\/","title":{"rendered":"SEC Probes Terraform Labs Deal with Former Jump Crypto CEO"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The SEC is investigating Kanav Kariya\u2019s secret agreement with <a href=\"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/us-sec-moves-to-seize-do-kwons-cryptocurrency-assets.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Do Kwon, <\/a>the president of Terraform Labs, during the collapse of the stablecoin TerraUSD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kanav-Kariya-800x533-1-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"SEC Probes Terraform Labs Deal with Former Jump Crypto CEO\" class=\"wp-image-64024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kanav-Kariya-800x533-1-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kanav-Kariya-800x533-1-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kanav-Kariya-800x533-1-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kanav-Kariya-800x533-1-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kanav-Kariya-800x533-1-750x394.jpg 750w, https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kanav-Kariya-800x533-1-1140x599.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kanav-Kariya-800x533-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kanav Kariya, former president of Jump Crypto. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui\/Bloomberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The SEC is investigating whether Kanav Kariya, the former CEO of <a href=\"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/jump-crypto-oasis-recover-120k-eth-from-wormhole-exploit.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Jump Crypto, <\/a>a leading crypto trading firm, entered into a secret agreement with Do Kwon, the president of Terraform Labs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This blockchain platform issues the stablecoin <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coingecko.com\/en\/coins\/terra\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">TerraUSD (UST<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><g id=\"wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\" fill=\"none\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_31_188)\">\r\n                            <path d=\"M9.16724 14.8891L20.1672 3.88908\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\r\n                            <path d=\"M13.4497 3.53554L20.5208 3.53554L20.5208 10.6066\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\r\n                            <path d=\"M17.5 13.5L17.5 16.26C17.5 17.4179 17.5 17.9968 17.2675 18.4359C17.0799 18.7902 16.7902 19.0799 16.4359 19.2675C15.9968 19.5 15.4179 19.5 14.26 19.5L7.74 19.5C6.58213 19.5 6.0032 19.5 5.56414 19.2675C5.20983 19.0799 4.92007 18.7902 4.73247 18.4359C4.5 17.9968 4.5 17.4179 4.5 16.26L4.5 9.74C4.5 8.58213 4.5 8.0032 4.73247 7.56414C4.92007 7.20983 5.20982 6.92007 5.56414 6.73247C6.0032 6.5 6.58213 6.5 7.74 6.5L11 6.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\r\n                        <\/g>\r\n                        <defs>\r\n                            <clipPath id=\"clip0_31_188\">\r\n                                <rect fill=\"white\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\"\/>\r\n                            <\/clipPath>\r\n                        <\/defs><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coingecko.com\/en\/coins\/terra\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">)<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"#wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a> and the governance token LUNA. The investigation focuses on Jump Crypto\u2019s involvement in helping to restore UST\u2019s peg by purchasing tokens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/us-prosecutors-charge-do-kwon-with-fraud.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">SEC has alleged that Kwon<\/a> engaged in a fraudulent scheme worth <strong>$40 billion <\/strong>through unregistered securities LUNA and UST.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kariya-and-kwon-suspected-of-making-a-deal\">Kariya and Kwon Suspected of Making a Deal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to a deposition by SEC counsel Devon Staren, it is suggested that Kariya and Kwon made a deal on May 23, 2021, after UST had depegged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UST, Kwon\u2019s algorithmic stablecoin, experienced a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coindesk.com\/layer2\/2022\/05\/16\/ust-wont-be-the-end-of-algorithmic-stablecoins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">significant drop in value from around $1 <span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"#wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a>to approximately 0.30 cents on May 9, 2021, and LUNA, the token intended to stabilize UST, plummeted by around 99% by May 12, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Staren\u2019s questioning revealed that the terms of the alleged agreement were for Jump to help restore UST\u2019s peg by purchasing the token, and in return, Kwon would amend Jump\u2019s LUNA loan agreement and lift the vesting conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, <a href=\"https:\/\/blockworks.co\/news\/sec-terraform-labs-ust-depeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Kariya invoked his right<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"#wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a> to resist self-incrimination and declined to answer the question during the deposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump Crypto Accused of Manipulating UST and AnchorUST Prices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These allegations align with a civil class action suit filed against Jump Crypto, accusing them of manipulating the price of UST and <a href=\"https:\/\/coinmarketcap.com\/currencies\/anchorust\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">AnchorUST <span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"#wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a>between May 23, 2021, and May 31, 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lawsuit claims that Kwon agreed to modify prior agreements and provide Jump with over <strong>61.4 million LUNA tokens<\/strong> at a significant discount, which Jump later sold for a profit of over<strong> $1.28 billion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SEC and Terraform Labs Seek Summary Judgment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In the ongoing <a href=\"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/fraud-case-defense-terraform-request-access-to-ftx-wallets.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">SEC case against Terraform Labs,<\/a> both parties have motioned for a summary judgment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The defense argues that the SEC has not sufficiently proven Kwon\u2019s violation of securities laws, while the SEC contends that token holders were clearly making an investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The SEC\u2019s investigation into the alleged deal between Kariya and Kwon is a serious matter that could have significant implications for the crypto industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The case also raises questions about the legality and legitimacy of Terraform Labs\u2019 stablecoin and governance token, as well as the role and responsibility of Jump Crypto as a market maker and custodian.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The SEC is investigating Kanav Kariya\u2019s secret agreement with Do Kwon, the president of Terraform Labs, during the collapse of the stablecoin TerraUSD. The SEC is investigating whether Kanav Kariya, the former CEO of Jump Crypto, a leading crypto trading firm, entered into a secret agreement with Do Kwon, the president of Terraform Labs. This [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":64024,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[9684,13486,17124,17125,8081,4288],"class_list":["post-64019","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-do-kwon-2","tag-jump-crypto","tag-kanav-kariya","tag-terra-usd","tag-terraform-labs-2","tag-us-sec"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Kanav-Kariya-800x533-1.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64019","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64019"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64019\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64024"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64019"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64019"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coinscreed.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}