Celsius founders face US$16.5m FTC settlement orders
Checked by The Proofmark editorial team against our methodology before publishing
The Proofmark · Our methodology
What happened in the Celsius case?
You were told your crypto was safe and easy to withdraw. Then access to it stopped. The US case against Celsius concerns promises like these.
In July 2026, the Federal Trade Commission announced settlements totalling US$16.5 million with three Celsius founders. The amounts are US$10 million for Alexander Mashinsky, US$4.1 million for Shlomi Daniel Leon and US$2.4 million for Hanoch “Nuke” Goldstein.
The FTC alleged that Celsius made false claims about safety and access to funds. Those included claims about insurance, reserves and rewards of up to 18% a year.
Was Goldstein's order approved by the court?
Yes. The FTC's press release linked to a proposed order. Its case record now includes the order entered by the court on 20 July 2026.
That distinction matters: a proposed deal and an entered court order are different stages.
There was also a separate US case. On 18 June 2026, the CFTC announced permanent trading and registration bans against Mashinsky. The CFTC also records his 12-year prison sentence from May 2025.
These are separate actions. Do not add their figures together to work out what you will receive.
Does this mean customers get their money back now?
The FTC announcement does not set out a payment for each customer. Nor does it prove that all the money due has been paid.
If you have a Celsius claim, check the official case notices that apply to you. Your claim status and the process for payments matter more than a headline total.
These are US proceedings. Your country, account and claim may affect the steps available to you.
What should Celsius customers do?
- Keep your claim number, account records and past payment notices together.
- Check new messages against the case contacts you have already verified. Do not use a new link just because it has the Celsius name.
- Ask the official claim contact to explain any unclear deadline or payment step in writing.
- Never share a wallet recovery phrase or private key with someone offering a refund.
- If you sent money to a suspected fake recovery service, contact your bank or payment provider promptly. Keep the transfer records.
An unexpected demand to pay a fee before funds are released can be a recovery scam.
Need help checking a message?
Request a free call. Tell us your country and what the message asks you to do. We can help you understand the warning signs and next steps. We cannot promise a payout or decide your claim.
Sources
Where to go in your country
Scams cross borders. The people who can do something about them do not. Choose your country below, or change it if our guess is wrong.
Choose your country to see local contacts. If it is not listed, you can ask our team for help.
🇬🇧 The United Kingdom
🔎 Check the firm
FCA Firm Checker — Search the firm name, its website, or the reference number it gave you.
🚨 Report it
Report Fraud (City of London Police) — Report online or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
↩ Ask for your money back
Financial Ombudsman Service — Complain to the firm first, then bring it here. Free, and it can order the firm to pay.
Every address above was opened and checked by us on 30 September 2026. Tell us if one has moved.
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