Gotbit Founder Sentenced for Crypto Market Manipulation in U.S.

3 mins mins

Key Points:

Aleksei Andriunin sentenced for crypto manipulation; Gotbit operations suspended.
Five years’ probation includes cessation of all trading activities.
Raises awareness on crypto sector’s vulnerabilities to wash trading.

Aleksei Andriunin, founder of Gotbit, was sentenced to eight months in prison by a Massachusetts court for manipulating crypto markets through fake transactions. The ruling underscores the U.S. justice system’s stance on illegal activities in the cryptocurrency market.

The case signifies a crackdown on illicit market manipulation. Gotbit, also sentenced to five years of probation, must suspend all operations, highlighting regulatory intentions to dissuade deceptive trading practices. Prosecutors cite tens of millions in faked trading volume as part of the charges against the firm.

Gotbit Founder Convicted in Market Manipulation Case

Gotbit’s founder, Aleksei Andriunin, was convicted of orchestrating a market manipulation scheme involving fake transactions, commonly referred to as “wash trading.” This strategy involved creating artificial trading volumes to elevate crypto asset prices and secure token listings. Gotbit has been sentenced to five years of probation, requiring the suspension of all trading activities. Aleksei (Alex) Andriunin, 26, of Russia and Portugal, and Gotbit, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit market manipulation and wire fraud. Andriunin additionally faces a year of supervised release post-imprisonment. The firm’s operations have been infamous since 2018 for inflating asset trading volumes. U.S. prosecutors revealed that Andriunin’s actions have influenced numerous cryptocurrency companies by exaggerating trading activities to get listed on major exchanges. The firm’s revenue greatly depended on charging projects for these volume-boosting services, leaving a significant mark on smaller cryptocurrency sectors.

Since Gotbit’s sentencing, there have been widespread industry reactions, yet no direct comments emerge from major figures like Vitalik Buterin or organizational channels concerning Gotbit’s collapse. The cryptocurrency community viewed the firm’s practices as controversial, and this verdict may usher in more vigilance against market manipulation tactics, emphasizing the sector’s vulnerability to such illicit activities.

Prosecution Prompts Calls for Cleaner Crypto Markets

Did you know? Gotbit’s prosecution is a rare instance where a market-making firm, rather than an exchange, is held accountable for market manipulation within the cryptosphere.

According to CoinMarketCap, Ethereum (ETH) is priced at $2,513.91, with a market cap of $303.48 billion and a dominance of 9.31%. Over the past 24 hours, its trading volume fell by 65.55%, with a marginal 0.80% price decrease, reflecting a brief market stability amid ongoing fluctuations.

ethereum-daily-chart-464 — Ethereum(ETH), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 19:14 UTC on June 14, 2025. *Source: CoinMarketCap*

Experts at Coincu note that regulatory developments like this may promote cleaner market practices among cryptocurrency exchanges and market-making firms. While some cryptocurrencies continue to face scrutiny, larger assets may remain insulated from direct impacts, as indicated by Ethereum’s stable price movements amidst these judicial outcomes.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.