Terraform Labs CEO Sent $7 Billion to Law Firm Before Ecosystem Collapse
Luisa Crawford Apr 17, 2023 08:20
South Korean prosecutors confirmed that Terraform Labs CEO Do Kwon sent $7 billion to a top South Korean law firm, Kim & Chang, right before the collapse of the Terra ecosystem. The prosecutors believe that Kwon's decision to send the funds was a deliberate move that allegedly reaffirmed his awareness of the impending collapse and anticipated legal problems. The information is expected to help in the ongoing fraud case against Kwon and his associates.
South Korean prosecutors have confirmed that Terraform Labs CEO Do Kwon sent $7 billion to Kim & Chang, a top South Korean law firm, just before the collapse of the Terra ecosystem. The prosecutors believe that Kwon's decision to send the funds was a deliberate move that allegedly reaffirmed his awareness of the impending collapse and anticipated legal problems. The law firm's lawyers also visited Montenegro to meet with Kwon and Terraform's former CFO, Han Chang-joon.
Kwon was previously arrested at Podgorica airport in Montenegro after trying to fly to Dubai using fake documents. Both United States and South Korean authorities have sought Kwon's extradition, but the court has yet to decide. On April 7, South Korean prosecutors suspected Kwon of converting illicit funds from Terra (LUNA) to Bitcoin (BTC) and requested Binance to halt all withdrawal requests linked to Kwon.
In total, prosecutors identified $314.2 million in illicit assets associated with Terraform Labs co-founder Kwon and his associates, out of which about $69 million is reportedly directly linked to Kwon. The information regarding Kwon's transfer of $7 billion to the law firm is expected to help in the ongoing fraud case against him and his associates.
The allegations against Kwon and his associates highlight the risks associated with cryptocurrency investments and the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of cryptocurrency projects. The case also highlights the role of law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting financial crimes in the cryptocurrency industry.
The outcome of the ongoing fraud case against Kwon and his associates will have significant implications for the cryptocurrency industry, particularly in South Korea, where regulatory authorities have been cracking down on illegal activities in the sector. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold and what impact it will have on the future of Terraform Labs and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.
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