Tai Mo Shan Limited, a subsidiary of Jump Crypto, has been charged by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for misconduct related to the TerraUSD (UST) and LUNA cryptocurrencies.
The firm has agreed to pay $123 million to settle the allegations, which include misleading investors about the stability of UST. The SEC's investigation found that Tai Mo Shan engaged in deceptive practices that contributed to the collapse of these digital assets, resulting in significant losses for investors.
Tai Mo Shan misrepresented the functionalities of UST, which was designed to maintain a $1 value through a complex system of algorithms and incentives involving LUNA. The stablecoin's value plummeted in May 2021, leading to a crisis that affected the broader cryptocurrency market. Tai Mo Shan allegedly traded UST in a manner that created a false impression of its stability.
The firm also acted as a statutory underwriter in the sale of LUNA, which was classified as a security.
As part of the settlement, Tai Mo Shan will pay a civil penalty of approximately $36.7 million, along with $12.9 million in prejudgment interest and $73.5 million in disgorgement.
The fallout from the TerraUSD and LUNA debacle has had significant implications, with Terraform Labs facing its own legal challenges and the cryptocurrency industry experiencing substantial losses. Jump Crypto, the parent company of Tai Mo Shan, has also faced scrutiny for its role in the crisis. The SEC's actions highlight the need for compliance with securities laws in the cryptocurrency sector. The ongoing developments in this case are expected to influence the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies.