Crypto King Aiden Pleterski Faces Trial Over Alleged $30 Million Fraud

Aiden Pleterski, a social media personality known as the 'crypto king', is set to face trial in Ontario's Superior Court of Justice next week. He allegedly defrauded his followers out of $30 million between 2021 and 2022 by making false claims about large profits on digital assets.

Pleterski was charged with money laundering and fraud in May 2024, after authorities found evidence that he solicited investments under false pretenses. He is expected to represent himself in court, as he has been unable to secure a delay to obtain counsel.

The trial is set to run for about four weeks, with the fraud charge alone carrying a maximum sentence of up to 14 years in prison if Pleterski is convicted. This case marks one of several high-profile crypto industry cases in recent years, including charges against executives from FTX and Celsius.