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06/18/2026

‘Bitcoin Rodney’ Pleads Guilty in $1.8B HyperFund Crypto Fraud Case

What happened: Rodney Burton, known as “Bitcoin Rodney,” pleaded guilty in U.

‘Bitcoin Rodney’ Pleads Guilty in $1.8B HyperFund Crypto Fraud Case

What happened: Rodney Burton, known as “Bitcoin Rodney,” pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Baltimore to conspiracy charges related to his role as a top promoter of the HyperFund crypto scheme. HyperFund, which promised daily returns of 0.5–1% from purported mining operations, raised approximately $1.8 billion globally before freezing investor withdrawals in 2021. Burton personally received about $7.8 million from the scheme between June 2020 and January 2022. Sentencing is scheduled for July 23, 2026, with Burton facing up to five years in prison.

Why it matters: The plea highlights ongoing risks of large-scale fraud in crypto, particularly in schemes promising outsized, low-risk returns. While Burton was a promoter—not an architect—of HyperFund, the case underscores the legal exposure for influencers and marketers of unlicensed financial products. The involvement of tangential celebrity associates (not charged) also spotlights the blurred lines between endorsement and complicity in crypto marketing.

Source: Decrypt