Crypto Capital exec Reginald Fowler pleads guilty in fraud case

After filing for a plea change last week, Reginald Fowler pled guilty today to bank fraud, bank fraud conspiracy, operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business, conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business and wire fraud.

Fowler stood accused of engaging in "shadow banking" for cryptocurrency exchanges through his business Crypto Capital. The government alleges Crypto Capital operated as an unlicensed money transmitting business that misrepresented its crypto dealings to its banking clients. Fowler allegedly opened accounts with banks under false pretenses to store funds and process transactions for exchanges like Binance, Kraken and BitMEX.

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Fowler allegedly ran the business with partners Ravid Yosef and Oz Yosef, who both remain at large.

At first, Fowler pled not guilty to the charges, but by 2020, it appeared he was attempting to change his plea to guilty. In 2021, he retained new counsel and then refiled for the plea change with a letter last week.

That letter indicated Fowler would enter an open plea, which foregoes his right to trial and asks the court for sentencing. At today's remote hearing, Fowler pled guilty to the charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 90 years in prison. His sentence will be decided by U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter at 2:00 pm on August 30, 2022.

About Author

Aislinn Keely is a reporter on The Block's policy team holding down the legal beat. She covers court decisions, bankruptcies, regulatory actions and other key moments in the legal sphere, putting them in context for the wider crypto industry. Before The Block, she lent her voice to the NPR affiliate WFUV and helmed Fordham University's student newspaper. Send tips or thoughts on all things policy and legal to [email protected] or follow her on Twitter for updates @AislinnKeely.