A US court docket yesterday (Thursday) sentenced Do Kwon, the co-founder of Terraform Labs, to fifteen years in jail after he pleaded responsible to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud buyers. The collapse of Terraform Labs worn out $40 billion in buyers’ cash.
One other Crypto Mogul Goes to Jail
In response to the order of Choose Paul Engelmayer on the US District Courtroom for the Southern District of New York, Kwon will obtain credit score for time served within the US and 17 months of pre-extradition custody.
Earlier than the sentencing, the decide additionally heard from a few of the victims of Terraform. Kwon additionally testified in court docket earlier than the sentencing.
“I would really like everybody to know that I’ve spent all my time interested by what I may have finished, and what I can do,” Kwon mentioned earlier than the sentencing. “It’s been 4 years because the crash, three years since I’ve seen my household. I’d prefer to [do] my penance in my house nation.”
Do Kwon: I would really like everybody to know that I’ve spent all my time pondering what I may have finished, and what I can do. It has been 4 years because the crash, three years since I’ve seen my household. I might prefer to my penance in my house nation.
— Inside Metropolis Press (@innercitypress) December 11, 2025
He’s additionally dealing with fraud fees in South Korea, his house nation.
The Collapse that Dented the Crypto Business
Kwon was recognized for founding Terraform Labs. Nevertheless, the undertaking’s two cryptocurrencies, TerraUSD and Luna, collapsed in 2022, erasing about $37 billion in worth. The autumn of the algorithmic stablecoin led to the closure and downfall of a number of different cryptocurrency corporations.
In 2023, Kwon and an affiliate had been arrested in Montenegro whereas making an attempt to journey to Dubai utilizing pretend journey paperwork. He was then extradited to the US, whereas South Korea was additionally making an attempt to push his extradition.
In June, Terraform Labs and Kwon agreed to a settlement with the US Securities and Trade Fee (SEC), committing to pay round $4.5 billion in restoration and civil penalties. Kwon personally agreed to pay not less than $204.3 million.
At first, the US regulator sought $5.3 billion in settlement. Nevertheless, the defendants’ authorized crew countered with a suggestion of $1 million in civil penalties and no restoration or injunction.
Moreover, Kwon and Terraform Labs had been completely banned from shopping for or promoting crypto asset securities, together with tokens within the Terra ecosystem.
Earlier this yr, Terraform Labs filed for chapter in Delaware, United States. Within the court docket submitting, the defunct firm reported liabilities between $100 million and $500 million, with estimated property in the identical vary.
After the sentencing, Kwon joined FTX founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who acquired a 25-year jail sentence.
This text was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.