The CEO of Titanium Blockchains, Michael Zaif, has plead guilty to federal charges of ICO fraud worth 21 million USD.

What Happened?

In April of 2018, Zaif launched an initial coin offering (ICO) of “TIT” tokens. The tokens were sold to initial investors in exchange for BTC or ETH, raising over 21 million USD.

As it turns out, Zaif had lied to investors about the safety and security of the TIT tokens. He declared that TIT tokens would be fully backed by an insurance provider when, in fact, no such arrangement had been made. He also made false statements to investors about the performance of the tokens.

Consequences

Zaif now faces criminal charges for securities fraud and wire fraud. He is expected to be sentenced for up to 20 years in prison, as well as pay a $250,000 fine.

Lessons Learned

This case serves as an important reminder that prospective investors must always conduct thorough due diligence on any ICOs they wish to invest in. A few key things to look out for include:

  • The whitepaper: It should be clear and provide a realistic roadmap of the project.
  • Team: Do some research on the development team's expertise and credentials.
  • Funds: Make sure the ICO team is transparent about how the funds will be used.

It is important for investors to remember that the market is full of scams and that caution is key. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. By following the lessons from this case, investors can make sure they stay one step ahead of any fraudulent ICOs.