Key Takeaways:
A federal judge entered a $4.72 billion FTC judgment against Celsius founder Alex Mashinsky on April 28, 2026. Mashinsky faces a lifetime ban from crypto and financial services while serving a 12-year federal prison sentence. The FTC requires only $10 million in actual payment, coordinated with Mashinsky’s DOJ criminal forfeiture obligations. FTC Enters $4.72B Celsius Judgment Against Mashinsky, Bans Him From IndustryMashinsky had initially represented himself after his attorneys withdrew, but the parties reached a stipulated agreement in early 2026. A joint motion to stay the case pending settlement approval was filed in late March, paving the way for the April 28 order.
The full $4.72 billion judgment remains enforceable if Mashinsky fails to accurately disclose his assets or makes material misrepresentations in financial filings. The judgment cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, and compliance requirements, including recordkeeping and reporting obligations, extend up to 18 years.
DOJ prosecutors said the schemes caused billions in customer losses while Mashinsky personally profited tens of millions. The FTC settlement allows the $10 million civil payment to count toward the DOJ criminal forfeiture amount, coordinating relief across both enforcement actions.
