You can also read this news on BH NEWS: CLS Global Admits to Wash Trading on Uniswap
CLS Global, a cryptocurrency market maker based in Dubai, has acknowledged its involvement in wash trading on the decentralized exchange Uniswap. U.S. prosecutors from Massachusetts have announced that the firm will incur a penalty of $428,059 as part of a legal settlement, and it will face a ban on trading on platforms accessible to American investors.
The indictment of CLS Global in September 2024 stemmed from a thorough investigation by the FBI. The bureau had developed an Ethereum-based token known as NexFundAI to monitor the activities of CLS Global and two other market makers, a project that was later shut down as inquiries intensified.
Prosecutors revealed that CLS Global employees openly admitted to inflating the trading volume of NexFundAI through nefarious wash trading techniques. Video interviews captured an employee asserting their capability to “create volume” using a systematic approach that obfuscated the trades across various wallets.
Key findings from the investigation include:
This case underscores the pressing need for greater oversight and accountability within the cryptocurrency sector. The repercussions faced by CLS Global may serve as a critical warning to others engaged in similar illicit activities.