Kwon's Extradition from Montenegro to the US on the Horizon

Do Kwon's Extradition from Montenegro to the US on the Horizon

Written by Gile K.,

Market Sentiment Analyst

Last Updated: December 08, 2023

Key Takeaways

Do Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs, is reportedly being extradited to the US to face criminal charges.
Kwon faces multiple charges relating to his role in Terraform Labs, including commodities, securities, and wire fraud.
The collapse of Terraform Labs was a significant event in the cryptocurrency market, leading to the bankruptcy of several firms.

Do Kwon, the co-founder of Terraform Labs, is reportedly set to be extradited to the United States, a move that could have major implications for the ongoing cryptocurrency market dynamics.

The Wall Street Journal, citing sources close to the matter, revealed that the US request for Kwon's extradition will likely be granted.

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This decision by Montenegrin Justice Minister Andrej Milović marks a pivotal turn in the legal proceedings against Kwon, who was arrested in Montenegro in March for using falsified travel documents. He is currently serving a four-month prison sentence there.

In the US, Kwon faces many charges, including commodities, securities, and wire fraud, all linked to his activities at Terraform Labs. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has also accused him of defrauding investors through various crypto schemes.

This announcement, according to Minister Milović, will be made public soon.

While the focus is currently on Do Kwon's imminent extradition to the US, legal experts suggest he may still face charges in South Korea. Despite these allegations, Kwon maintains his innocence, denying any fraudulent activities.

The downfall of Terraform Labs in May 2022, marked by the depegging of TerraUSD (UST) from the US dollar, triggered a significant downturn in the cryptocurrency market.

This event led to a flood of financial troubles for several firms, including Voyager Digital, BlockFi, Celsius Network, and FTX, all of which filed for bankruptcy following the market's destabilization.

The planned extradition of Do Kwon to the United States is a critical development in the crypto world. It not only underscores the legal complexities surrounding the collapse of Terraform Labs but also highlights the international reach of cryptocurrency regulations and the collaborative efforts of global law enforcement in addressing alleged financial crimes in the digital asset space.