Rodney Burton, a 56-year-old crypto promoter identified on-line as “Bitcoin Rodney,” is dealing with expanded federal prices tied to his alleged position in selling the $1.8 billion HyperFund cryptocurrency scheme.
Key Takeaways:
- US prosecutors expanded prices in opposition to “Bitcoin Rodney” over the $1.8B HyperFund scheme.
- Burton faces a long time in jail after being denied bail as a flight threat.
- HyperFund allegedly promised pretend returns and blocked withdrawals.
In response to a superseding indictment unsealed Friday by the US Legal professional’s Workplace for the District of Maryland, prosecutors now accuse Burton of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, seven counts of cash laundering, and one depend of working an unlicensed cash transmitting enterprise.
If convicted on all prices, Burton may resist 20 years in jail for every wire fraud-related depend, as much as 10 years per cash laundering depend, and an extra 5 years for the unlicensed cash transmission cost.
Expanded Indictment Deepens Case Towards “Bitcoin Rodney”
The brand new indictment marks a pointy escalation from the unique legal grievance filed in January 2024, which charged Burton with simply two counts associated to unlicensed cash transmission.
These earlier prices carried a most sentence of 5 years every. Burton was arrested at Miami Worldwide Airport that month whereas allegedly trying to depart the nation on a one-way ticket to the United Arab Emirates.
A federal decide later denied his bail request, citing him as an “excessive flight threat,” and he has remained in custody since.
In response to court docket filings, Burton and his alleged co-conspirators operated HyperFund, also referred to as HyperVerse, from June 2020 by way of Might 2024.
Rodney "Bitcoin Rodney" Burton, of Miami, Florida and Prince George's County, Md., has been indicted for his position as an alleged promoter of a $1.8 billion fraud scheme.https://t.co/xlOH6XRM4B
— FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) December 13, 2025
The platform was marketed as a crypto funding alternative promising every day returns starting from 0.5% to 1% till traders doubled or tripled their cash.
Prosecutors declare these returns had been falsely attributed to large-scale cryptocurrency mining operations that didn’t exist.
By 2021, HyperFund allegedly started proscribing and blocking investor withdrawals.
The indictment additional alleges that Burton used investor funds to finance a lavish life-style, together with the acquisition of luxurious condominiums, high-end sports activities vehicles, and a yacht. His trial is at present scheduled for March subsequent yr.
From Movie star Occasions to Court docket Data: The Rise of “Bitcoin Rodney”
Burton rose to prominence inside crypto circles by way of aggressive advertising and high-profile appearances.
He hosted a 2021 Miami occasion that includes “Shark Tank” investor Daymond John and musician Akon, and appeared publicly with celebrities reminiscent of Jamie Foxx and Rick Ross.
Court docket information additionally reference a previous conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
In latest court docket filings, Burton has maintained that he believed HyperFund was a reputable enterprise. He has positioned blame on co-founder Xue Lee, also referred to as Sam Lee, alleging Lee orchestrated an elaborate deception that misled each traders and promoters.
Lee and fellow promoter Brenda “Bitcoin Beautee” Chunga had been charged by the SEC in January 2024. Chunga has pleaded responsible, whereas Lee stays at massive.
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