SafeMoon CEO Sentenced to 8 Years After Judge Calls Scheme ‘Theft’

A US federal judge sentenced Braden John Karony, the former CEO of SafeMoon, to 100 months in prison, equal to eight years and four months. US District Judge Eric Komitee said the scheme was "more like theft than fraud." The court set a separate hearing on restitution and financial penalties for April 23.

Victims offered emotional testimony about lost homes, sold assets and long-term financial damage after trusting the project's leadership. Several said they invested because Karony made himself highly visible and trustworthy, in contrast to Bitcoin’s anonymous creator.

The judge rejected defense pleas citing his age and background, calling the case "a massive fraud," while prosecutors had sought a 12-year term and argued Karony showed no remorse. SafeMoon launched in 2021 promising long-term rewards and a "locked" liquidity pool that executives claimed could not be accessed.

United States

safemoon, braden karony, eric komitee, 100 months, restitution, locked liquidity, liquidity pool, victims, theft, 12 years