Goliath Ventures CEO Christopher Delgado Arrested for $328 Million Crypto Ponzi Scheme

Christopher Alexander Delgado, the 34-year-old former CEO of Florida-based crypto investment firm Goliath Ventures, was arrested on February 25, 2026, on federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering in connection with an alleged $328 million Ponzi scheme.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, Delgado allegedly solicited investments in cryptocurrency liquidity pools with promises of “guaranteed” monthly returns of 3% to 8%, but instead used new investor funds to pay earlier participants and finance personal real estate purchases and luxury expenses.

Charges and Maximum Penalties

Delgado was taken into custody on a criminal complaint charging him with wire fraud and money laundering. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 30 years in federal prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that a criminal complaint contains allegations, and Delgado is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, with prosecution handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Orlando. Law enforcement officials are actively seeking potential victims to come forward as the investigation continues.

Alleged Scheme Mechanics

According to court filings, Delgado served as president and CEO of Goliath Ventures—formerly known as Gen-Z Venture Firm—from January 2023 through January 2026. During this period, prosecutors allege he raised at least $328 million from investors by promising monthly returns generated through cryptocurrency “liquidity pools,” sometimes described as “guaranteed” or “low risk” investments.

Contracts offered to investors promised monthly returns of approximately 3% to 8%. However, investigators allege that instead of investing the funds as represented, Delgado operated Goliath as a classic Ponzi scheme, using money from new investors to pay purported returns to earlier backers and meet withdrawal requests.

The complaint alleges that the firm’s claims about deploying capital into crypto liquidity pools were false. Blockchain analysis reportedly showed that only about $1.5 million of investor funds was sent to the decentralized exchange Uniswap, while the “vast majority” was never placed into liquidity pools.

To build credibility and attract victims, prosecutors say Delgado relied on personal referrals, polished marketing materials, luxury events, charitable sponsorships, and periodic payments marketed as returns. Investors were shown account updates via an online portal that displayed consistent gains, but the reported “returns” were allegedly fabricated and adjusted to match promised rates.

Misuse of Investor Funds

According to the DOJ complaint, the “vast majority” of investor funds were not invested in liquidity pools as promised. Instead, funds were allegedly used to pay returns to earlier investors, as well as to fund “extravagant business gatherings, holiday parties, and luxury travel accommodations.”

Delgado is also accused of using investors’ funds to purchase four residential properties in Winter Park, Kissimmee, Windermere, and Sanford, Florida, each valued between $1.15 million and $8.5 million. One identified victim reportedly lost approximately $720,000 in the scheme.

Liquidity Pools Explained

Liquidity pools are a decentralized finance innovation that underpin much of the DeFi ecosystem. They are smart contracts that lock up crypto tokens supplied by a DeFi platform’s users, who are incentivized with token rewards in the form of yields and LP tokens. LP tokens serve as receipts that can be redeemed for rewards from the liquidity pool, proportionate to the liquidity provided, and can often be staked on other DeFi protocols to generate further yields.

The legitimate function of liquidity pools contrasts sharply with the alleged misuse of investor funds in the Goliath case, where prosecutors claim the investment strategy was a facade for a fraudulent scheme.

Regulatory and Industry Context

The Goliath Ventures case represents one of the largest alleged crypto-linked Ponzi schemes by dollar amount. According to a TRM Labs global report, pyramid and Ponzi schemes received approximately $6.1 billion in victim funds globally in 2025, a 49% increase from the previous year.

The most recent major case prior to Goliath Ventures involved Ramil Ventura Palafox, the CEO of Praetorian Group International (PGI), who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for misleading more than 90,000 investors and draining over $62.7 million in funds.

Victim Notification and Next Steps

The Department of Justice noted that victims identified by law enforcement will receive notice of their rights pursuant to the Crime Victims’ Rights Act. Authorities have invited individuals who believe they may be unidentified victims to self-identify to law enforcement via a dedicated website.

The case is proceeding through the federal court system in the Middle District of Florida, with Delgado in custody pending further proceedings.

FAQ: Understanding the Goliath Ventures Case

Q: What is a Ponzi scheme and how did this one operate?

A: A Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud that pays existing investors with funds collected from new investors, rather than from legitimate profits. In this case, prosecutors allege Delgado promised high monthly returns from crypto liquidity pools but actually used new investor money to pay earlier participants and fund his personal lifestyle, while fabricating account statements to show consistent gains.

Q: How much money was involved and what happened to it?

A: The alleged scheme raised approximately $328 million from investors. According to the complaint, only about $1.5 million was actually sent to a crypto platform (Uniswap), with most funds diverted to pay earlier investors, fund luxury events and travel, and purchase four residential properties in Florida valued between $1.15 million and $8.5 million.

Q: What penalties does Delgado face if convicted?

A: Delgado is charged with wire fraud and money laundering, each carrying maximum sentences of up to 30 years in federal prison. The actual sentence, if convicted, would be determined by a judge based on federal sentencing guidelines and the specifics of the case.

Q: How can potential victims report losses or get information?

A: The U.S. Attorney’s Office has established a dedicated website for potential victims to self-identify to law enforcement. Identified victims will receive notice of their rights under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act as the case proceeds through the court system.