Jesse Powell, founder and former CEO of crypto exchange Kraken, had his residence searched by the FBI earlier this year. The investigation was prompted by accusations that Powell engaged in cyber-stalking and hacking against Verge Center for the Arts, a nonprofit arts group that he also founded.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the FBI, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, has been examining Powell’s activities since at least September of last year.
In March, the FBI searched Powell’s home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, and seized electronic devices as part of their investigation. Despite this, Powell has not been formally charged with any crimes by prosecutors at this time.
The focus of the investigation primarily centers on claims made by the Verge Center for the Arts, which accused Powell of interfering with computer accounts and blocking access to emails and messages from the nonprofit’s contributors.
According to Powell’s lawyer, Brandon Fox, the investigation mainly focused on the allegations concerning Verge. It does not directly connect Powell to any wrongdoing in the cryptocurrency industry. This position was also confirmed by a spokesperson from Kraken, who emphasized the separation between Powell’s actions and his role in the cryptocurrency exchange.
Currently, there is a high level of regulatory scrutiny surrounding cryptocurrency exchanges. Major players in the industry, including Coinbase, and Binance, are facing significant challenges as regulators work to ensure compliance and address potential wrongdoing.
Last year, Powell’s relationship with Verge Center for the Arts became strained after he was removed from their board due to violations of their “guiding principles,” according to The New York Times. The recent investigation has brought renewed focus to his previous work with the nonprofit.
As the investigation unfolds, the cryptocurrency community awaits further developments, which could have ramifications for both Jesse Powell’s future and the broader landscape of the cryptocurrency exchange sector.
