ezBtc Founder Defrauds Investors of $9.5 Million in Bitcoin and Ethereum: BCSC Investigation

• In a major development, the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) has found that the cryptocurrency trading platform ezBtc and its founder, David Smillie, defrauded investors of a substantial amount.
• The investigation revealed that ezBtc and Smillie were involved in deceptive practices, misappropriating customer funds meant for crypto investments.
• An alarming detail from the BCSC investigation shows that nearly a third of user funds were diverted for personal use and gambling by Smillie.

Discover the details behind the $9.5 million crypto scam that shook Canada and the rising institutional demand defying the controversies.

BCSC Uncovers Massive Crypto Fraud by ezBtc

The British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) has determined through rigorous investigation that the cryptocurrency trading platform ezBtc and its founder, David Smillie, have defrauded investors of approximately $9.5 million. This amounts to about 13 million Canadian dollars in crypto assets, a significant loss for the affected individuals. The investigation brought to light that ezBtc began accepting customer deposits back in December 2016 but ended its operations around September 2019. During this period, over 2,300 BTC and more than 600 ETH were deposited by customers into their ezBtc accounts.

Crypto Funds Diverted for Personal Use

The BCSC’s findings were startling. Despite assurances that all crypto assets were securely held in cold storage, ezBtc misappropriated incoming funds almost immediately. A significant portion of these funds, nearly a third, was directed towards gambling and personal expenditures by Smillie. The panel’s conclusion on the matter highlighted the egregious nature of these activities, which resulted in severe financial losses for the investors who were subsequently unable to withdraw their assets. The executive director of the BCSC, along with the respondents, has been instructed to submit recommendations on sanctions, with deadlines in September 2024.

Crypto Fraud in Canada: More Than an Isolated Incident

Canada has seen multiple instances of crypto-related fraud, marking an unsettling trend in the region. Earlier this year, Aiden Pleterski, dubbed Ontario’s ‘Crypto King’, was arrested on fraud and money laundering charges linked to an alleged Ponzi scheme. Pleterski, along with his co-conspirator Colin Murphy, allegedly defrauded investors of around $30 million, further spotlighting the risks associated with crypto investments when faced with unethical practices.

Rising Institutional Demand Amid Controversies

Despite these fraud cases, the institutional demand for crypto assets in Canada has been on the rise. A survey conducted by KPMG in 2023 showed a significant increase in crypto exposure among Canadian institutional investors compared to 2021. The survey, which involved respondents from institutional investors and financial services organizations, revealed that 39% of institutional investors had either direct or indirect exposure to crypto assets, up from 31% in 2021. Moreover, half of the financial services firms surveyed now offer crypto services, a noticeable increase from 41% just two years ago. This growing interest is seen as a move towards diversifying portfolios and hedging against economic uncertainties and inflation.

Conclusion

The investigation by the BCSC into ezBtc highlights significant concerns about the integrity of some players within the crypto industry. Despite the prevalence of fraud cases, the interest in crypto assets, particularly from institutional investors, remains steadfast. This dual scenario points towards the necessity for stricter regulatory measures to protect investors while acknowledging the growing role of cryptocurrencies in modern finance. As the sector evolves, balancing safety and innovation will be key in fostering a trustworthy and robust crypto market in Canada.