By Tom Blitzer
Key Insights:
- FTC alleges Voyager falsely claimed FDIC insurance for clients’ accounts.
- CFTC pinpoints Ehrlich’s risky ventures and glaring registration lapses.
- Legal challenges mount as financial losses for users surpass $1 billion.
FTC’s Accusations Unmask Deceptive Practices
Steve Ehrlich, the former CEO of lending platform Voyager, is in the midst of significant challenges within the crucial trust-centric financial realm. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleges that Ehrlich repeatedly and falsely led customers to believe that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) protected their accounts. Such a claim indicates a marked departure from reality.
From 2018 through its bankruptcy declaration in July 2022, Voyager created an atmosphere of trust. They projected a sense of financial security to their users. However, as events unfolded, this sense of security proved to be an illusion. When the company’s fortunes dipped, the repercussions were colossal. Financial losses experienced by customers exceeded a staggering $1 billion. This loss was deeply personal, affecting major life investments like college fees, house down payments, and even monthly salaries.
FTC’s Protective Measures for Consumers
Adding to the web of deceit, Voyager championed a campaign urging clients to channel their assets into USD Coin. They received assurance that these funds, once converted, were under FDIC protection. However, this assurance needed to be revised. Voyager, neither being a bank nor a certified financial entity, was under FDIC’s purview. In fact, the FDIC does not even extend its insurance cover to crypto assets. These funds were instead housed in an account entirely overseen by Voyager at a traditional bank.
Reacting to these revelations, the FTC has outlined protective measures for consumers. A proposed settlement aims to safeguard consumers from further financial harm. This settlement stipulates a permanent ban on Voyager and its affiliates from any future management of consumer assets. Moreover, while a $1.65 billion judgment has been slapped on Voyager, it is temporarily suspended. This move aims to prioritize the restitution of assets to the beleaguered customers.
CFTC’s Concerns: Risky Ventures and Oversight Lapses
Not to be left behind, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has introduced its set of grave concerns against Voyager. The commission has pinpointed alleged fraudulent behaviors and glaring registration failures spearheaded by Ehrlich.
Diving deeper, the CFTC highlighted that Voyager was at the helm of an unauthorized commodity pool. Besides its illegitimacy, this operation was positioned misleadingly. Clients were led to perceive Voyager as a “safe haven,” an oasis promising tantalizing high returns. Contrary to these lofty promises, the reality was starkly different. Ian McGinley, CFTC’s Director of Enforcement, expressed these concerns succinctly. He mentioned that while Voyager’s external communication harped on safety, its internal actions were mired in recklessness.
Further complicating the narrative, Voyager embarked on perilous financial journeys. Substantial amounts, to the tune of $650 million, were redirected to high-risk third parties. In a bid to secure high returns, this risky gamble soon backfired. By June, Voyager’s endeavors to recover its funds hit a roadblock. This setback triggered a liquidity crunch. Yet, despite these glaring challenges, Ehrlich remained resolute in his assurances to clients about the sanctity of their funds.
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