NovaTech used an MLM scheme to lure investors from around the world, promising high returns.
The SEC also fined OTC Link LLC $1.19M for failing to file Suspicious Activity Reports over a three-year period.
The US
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
has filed charges against cryptocurrency company NovaTech and its co-founders
for allegedly orchestrating a $650 million fraud scheme, while also fining
broker-dealer OTC Link LLC $1.19 million for anti-money laundering (AML)
violations.
SEC Charges NovaTech with
$650 Million Crypto Fraud
In a
complaint filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida,
the SEC accused NovaTech and its married co-founders, Cynthia and Eddy Petion,
of defrauding over 200,000 investors worldwide through a multi-level marketing
(MLM) scheme. The company allegedly raised funds by promising to invest in
crypto assets and foreign exchange markets.
“NovaTech
and the Petions caused untold losses to tens of thousands of victims around the
world,” said Eric Werner, Director of the SEC's Fort Worth Regional
Office. “As we allege, MLM schemes of this size require promoters to fuel
them, and today's action demonstrates that we will hold accountable not just
the principal architects of these massive schemes, but also promoters who
spread their fraud by unlawfully soliciting victims.”
The SEC
claims that instead of investing funds as promised, NovaTech used new investor
money to pay earlier investors and promoter commissions, while the Petions
allegedly siphoned millions for personal use. The scheme reportedly targeted
the Haitian-American community and operated from 2019 until its collapse in May
2023.
Six
NovaTech promoters were also charged for their roles in recruiting investors,
even after becoming aware of regulatory actions against the company. One
promoter, Martin Zizi, has agreed to pay a $100,000 civil penalty to settle the
charges partially.
This marks
another multimillion-dollar action by the SEC against a cryptocurrency company
recently. Two weeks ago, in collaboration with the Department of Justice (DoJ),
the Commission charged Nader Al-Naji, the founder of the cryptocurrency social
media platform BitClout, with wire fraud and the sale of unregistered
securities totaling $257 million.
OTC Link Fined for AML
Violations
In a
separate action, the SEC announced charges against OTC Link LLC for failing to
file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) over a three-year period. OTC Link,
which operates three alternative trading system platforms for over-the-counter
securities, allegedly lacked proper AML procedures to monitor transactions for
suspicious activity.
“Broker-dealers
are critical gatekeepers to the securities markets and must diligently monitor
for suspicious transactions,” said Tejal D. Shah, Associate Regional
Director of the SEC's New York Regional Office. “When firms like OTC Link
fail to file SARs, they deprive regulators and law enforcement of important
information about suspicious activity.”
OTC Link
agreed to pay a $1.19 million penalty and engage a compliance consultant to
review its AML policies without admitting or denying the SEC's findings.
Just last
week, the investment banking firm Piper Sandler agreed to pay $16 million in
civil penalties to resolve inquiries by U.S. regulators concerning its
record-keeping practices. Announced on Tuesday, this settlement represents a
further step in the ongoing enforcement of compliance with communication
standards on Wall Street.
The US
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
has filed charges against cryptocurrency company NovaTech and its co-founders
for allegedly orchestrating a $650 million fraud scheme, while also fining
broker-dealer OTC Link LLC $1.19 million for anti-money laundering (AML)
violations.
SEC Charges NovaTech with
$650 Million Crypto Fraud
In a
complaint filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida,
the SEC accused NovaTech and its married co-founders, Cynthia and Eddy Petion,
of defrauding over 200,000 investors worldwide through a multi-level marketing
(MLM) scheme. The company allegedly raised funds by promising to invest in
crypto assets and foreign exchange markets.
“NovaTech
and the Petions caused untold losses to tens of thousands of victims around the
world,” said Eric Werner, Director of the SEC's Fort Worth Regional
Office. “As we allege, MLM schemes of this size require promoters to fuel
them, and today's action demonstrates that we will hold accountable not just
the principal architects of these massive schemes, but also promoters who
spread their fraud by unlawfully soliciting victims.”
The SEC
claims that instead of investing funds as promised, NovaTech used new investor
money to pay earlier investors and promoter commissions, while the Petions
allegedly siphoned millions for personal use. The scheme reportedly targeted
the Haitian-American community and operated from 2019 until its collapse in May
2023.
Six
NovaTech promoters were also charged for their roles in recruiting investors,
even after becoming aware of regulatory actions against the company. One
promoter, Martin Zizi, has agreed to pay a $100,000 civil penalty to settle the
charges partially.
This marks
another multimillion-dollar action by the SEC against a cryptocurrency company
recently. Two weeks ago, in collaboration with the Department of Justice (DoJ),
the Commission charged Nader Al-Naji, the founder of the cryptocurrency social
media platform BitClout, with wire fraud and the sale of unregistered
securities totaling $257 million.
OTC Link Fined for AML
Violations
In a
separate action, the SEC announced charges against OTC Link LLC for failing to
file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) over a three-year period. OTC Link,
which operates three alternative trading system platforms for over-the-counter
securities, allegedly lacked proper AML procedures to monitor transactions for
suspicious activity.
“Broker-dealers
are critical gatekeepers to the securities markets and must diligently monitor
for suspicious transactions,” said Tejal D. Shah, Associate Regional
Director of the SEC's New York Regional Office. “When firms like OTC Link
fail to file SARs, they deprive regulators and law enforcement of important
information about suspicious activity.”
OTC Link
agreed to pay a $1.19 million penalty and engage a compliance consultant to
review its AML policies without admitting or denying the SEC's findings.
Just last
week, the investment banking firm Piper Sandler agreed to pay $16 million in
civil penalties to resolve inquiries by U.S. regulators concerning its
record-keeping practices. Announced on Tuesday, this settlement represents a
further step in the ongoing enforcement of compliance with communication
standards on Wall Street.
Damian's adventure with financial markets began at the Cracow University of Economics, where he obtained his MA in finance and accounting. Starting from the retail trader perspective, he collaborated with brokerage houses and financial portals in Poland as an independent editor and content manager. His adventure with Finance Magnates began in 2016, where he is working as a business intelligence analyst.
MetaTrader 5 Now Supports over 40 Payment Options for Global Traders
Transformation in the APAC Trading Landscape and Beyond | FMPS:24
Transformation in the APAC Trading Landscape and Beyond | FMPS:24
As the financial services industry experiences rapid and transformative changes, leading fintech experts and policymakers come together to discuss the present and future of retail trading and the evolving regulatory landscape. Join this insightful session for a forward-looking perspective on the trends, innovations, and trader needs that are shaping the future of offerings on a global scale.
Speakers:
Eric Blewitt, CEO, Investment Trends
Rhys Bollen, Senior Executive Leader, Digital Assets, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
Michael Bogoevski, Head of Institutional Sales, CMC Connect
Karin Setchell, General Manager, Product & Investing Solutions, CommSec
#fmps #fmps24 #fmevents #RetailTrading #FintechInnovation #FinancialRegulation #DigitalAssets #GlobalFinance
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
Follow FMevents across our social media platforms for news, insights, and event updates.
Connect with us today:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/financemagnates-events/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinanceMagnatesEvents
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/F_M_events
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▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceMagnates_official
Don't miss out on our latest videos, interviews, and event coverage.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
As the financial services industry experiences rapid and transformative changes, leading fintech experts and policymakers come together to discuss the present and future of retail trading and the evolving regulatory landscape. Join this insightful session for a forward-looking perspective on the trends, innovations, and trader needs that are shaping the future of offerings on a global scale.
Speakers:
Eric Blewitt, CEO, Investment Trends
Rhys Bollen, Senior Executive Leader, Digital Assets, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
Michael Bogoevski, Head of Institutional Sales, CMC Connect
Karin Setchell, General Manager, Product & Investing Solutions, CommSec
#fmps #fmps24 #fmevents #RetailTrading #FintechInnovation #FinancialRegulation #DigitalAssets #GlobalFinance
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
Follow FMevents across our social media platforms for news, insights, and event updates.
Connect with us today:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/financemagnates-events/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinanceMagnatesEvents
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/F_M_events
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fmevents_official
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceMagnates_official
Don't miss out on our latest videos, interviews, and event coverage.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
Executive Interviews with Joe Li & Simon Naish | ATFX | FMPS:24
Executive Interviews with Joe Li & Simon Naish | ATFX | FMPS:24
In this Finance Magnates Executive Interview, Joe Li, Chairman at ATFX and Simon Naish, Country Head of Australia at ATFX Connect, discuss ATFX’s strategic growth in the APAC region, particularly focusing on their institutional arm, ATFX Connect. They highlight the importance of Australia as a strategic hub, the challenges of operating in a highly competitive and regulated market, and their plans for regional expansion across APAC. The conversation touches on the integration of advanced technology and multi-asset offerings, the significance of optimal execution tools, and the importance of tailoring solutions to meet the sophisticated demands of institutional clients. They also emphasize their strong regulatory compliance and their commitment to enhancing client experience through innovative tools and infrastructure.
#fmps #fmps24 #fmevents #ATFXConnect #APACFinance #InstitutionalTrading #FinancialTechnology #MarketExpansion
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
Follow FMevents across our social media platforms for news, insights, and event updates.
Connect with us today:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/financemagnates-events/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinanceMagnatesEvents
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/F_M_events
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fmevents_official
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceMagnates_official
Don't miss out on our latest videos, interviews, and event coverage.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
In this Finance Magnates Executive Interview, Joe Li, Chairman at ATFX and Simon Naish, Country Head of Australia at ATFX Connect, discuss ATFX’s strategic growth in the APAC region, particularly focusing on their institutional arm, ATFX Connect. They highlight the importance of Australia as a strategic hub, the challenges of operating in a highly competitive and regulated market, and their plans for regional expansion across APAC. The conversation touches on the integration of advanced technology and multi-asset offerings, the significance of optimal execution tools, and the importance of tailoring solutions to meet the sophisticated demands of institutional clients. They also emphasize their strong regulatory compliance and their commitment to enhancing client experience through innovative tools and infrastructure.
#fmps #fmps24 #fmevents #ATFXConnect #APACFinance #InstitutionalTrading #FinancialTechnology #MarketExpansion
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
Follow FMevents across our social media platforms for news, insights, and event updates.
Connect with us today:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/financemagnates-events/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinanceMagnatesEvents
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/F_M_events
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fmevents_official
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceMagnates_official
Don't miss out on our latest videos, interviews, and event coverage.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
Ready to Scale? Regtech in Australia, A Global View | FMPS:24
Ready to Scale? Regtech in Australia, A Global View | FMPS:24
In the effort to elevate Australian fintech on the global stage, RegTech presents a unique and compelling case. Despite the increasing demand for robust compliance solutions, Australia's RegTech sector—ranked third-largest globally—remains underfunded. Join this insightful fireside chat to explore the future of Australia’s RegTech hub and its global potential.
Key discussion points include uncovering the hidden opportunities in RegTech that VCs are overlooking, the necessary steps for increased governmental support, the readiness of the local ecosystem to collaborate across global regulatory regimes, and lessons learned from other leading fintech hubs around the world.
Speakers:
Dickie Currer, National Lead, Tech Australia Advocates
Deborah Young, CEO, The RegTech Association
#fmps #fmps24 #fmevents #RegTech #Fintech #AustralianFintech #GlobalCompliance #TechInnovation
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
Follow FMevents across our social media platforms for news, insights, and event updates.
Connect with us today:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/financemagnates-events/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinanceMagnatesEvents
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/F_M_events
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fmevents_official
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceMagnates_official
Don't miss out on our latest videos, interviews, and event coverage.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
In the effort to elevate Australian fintech on the global stage, RegTech presents a unique and compelling case. Despite the increasing demand for robust compliance solutions, Australia's RegTech sector—ranked third-largest globally—remains underfunded. Join this insightful fireside chat to explore the future of Australia’s RegTech hub and its global potential.
Key discussion points include uncovering the hidden opportunities in RegTech that VCs are overlooking, the necessary steps for increased governmental support, the readiness of the local ecosystem to collaborate across global regulatory regimes, and lessons learned from other leading fintech hubs around the world.
Speakers:
Dickie Currer, National Lead, Tech Australia Advocates
Deborah Young, CEO, The RegTech Association
#fmps #fmps24 #fmevents #RegTech #Fintech #AustralianFintech #GlobalCompliance #TechInnovation
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
Follow FMevents across our social media platforms for news, insights, and event updates.
Connect with us today:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/financemagnates-events/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinanceMagnatesEvents
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/F_M_events
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fmevents_official
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceMagnates_official
Don't miss out on our latest videos, interviews, and event coverage.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
Resilience in Trading: From Third Class To World Class | FMPS:24
Resilience in Trading: From Third Class To World Class | FMPS:24
Join Mario Singh, Founder and Chairman of Fullerton Markets, as he shares his life story, highlighting the traits that were required starting without financial knowledge to become a financial and trading expert recognised by world-renowned media like CNBC & Bloomberg.
#fmps #fmps24 #fmevents #trading #onlinetrading #tradingexpert #tradingjourney
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
Follow FMevents across our social media platforms for news, insights, and event updates.
Connect with us today:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/financemagnates-events/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinanceMagnatesEvents
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/F_M_events
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fmevents_official
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceMagnates_official
Don't miss out on our latest videos, interviews, and event coverage.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
Join Mario Singh, Founder and Chairman of Fullerton Markets, as he shares his life story, highlighting the traits that were required starting without financial knowledge to become a financial and trading expert recognised by world-renowned media like CNBC & Bloomberg.
#fmps #fmps24 #fmevents #trading #onlinetrading #tradingexpert #tradingjourney
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
Follow FMevents across our social media platforms for news, insights, and event updates.
Connect with us today:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/financemagnates-events/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinanceMagnatesEvents
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/F_M_events
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fmevents_official
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceMagnates_official
Don't miss out on our latest videos, interviews, and event coverage.
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IBs and Brokers: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly | FMPS:24
IBs and Brokers: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly | FMPS:24
For most brokers, IBs and trading educators are invaluable partners, driving highly targeted traffic from key regions. However, without proper management, these relationships can quickly turn sour. In this session, gain an insider’s perspective on the types of licenses IBs need in APAC, the crucial details in IB agreements that both parties must scrutinize, common disputes between IBs and brokers and effective resolutions, and the pros and cons of transitioning from IB to broker.
Speakers:
Melody Gao, Senior Lawyer, Sophie Grace
James Perry-Keene, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Pepperstone
Christopher Balanzategui, CEO, N3tworx
#fmps #fmps24 #fmevents #IBAgreements #BrokerPartnerships #TradingIndustry #APACFinance #FinancialRegulation
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
Follow FMevents across our social media platforms for news, insights, and event updates.
Connect with us today:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/financemagnates-events/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinanceMagnatesEvents
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/F_M_events
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fmevents_official
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceMagnates_official
Don't miss out on our latest videos, interviews, and event coverage.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
For most brokers, IBs and trading educators are invaluable partners, driving highly targeted traffic from key regions. However, without proper management, these relationships can quickly turn sour. In this session, gain an insider’s perspective on the types of licenses IBs need in APAC, the crucial details in IB agreements that both parties must scrutinize, common disputes between IBs and brokers and effective resolutions, and the pros and cons of transitioning from IB to broker.
Speakers:
Melody Gao, Senior Lawyer, Sophie Grace
James Perry-Keene, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Pepperstone
Christopher Balanzategui, CEO, N3tworx
#fmps #fmps24 #fmevents #IBAgreements #BrokerPartnerships #TradingIndustry #APACFinance #FinancialRegulation
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
Follow FMevents across our social media platforms for news, insights, and event updates.
Connect with us today:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/financemagnates-events/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinanceMagnatesEvents
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/F_M_events
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fmevents_official
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