Breaking: US SEC Charges NBA Star Paul Pierce With Crypto Violation

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges against former NBA player Paul Pierce for crypto violations.
By Anvesh Reddy
Updated May 16, 2025
Paul pierce crypto

Paul Pierce SEC Settlement: The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday announced charges against former NBA player Paul Pierce for crypto violations. He was charged for endorsing EthereumMax (EMAX) tokens on social media without making relevant disclosures. The SEC said the former player made false and misleading promotional statements about EMAX. Accordingly, Pierce settled the charges with $1.409 million in penalties, disgorgement, and interest.

Also Read: Is The Binance FUD Real? On-Chain Data Reveals Massive TUSD Inflow, Bitcoin Outflow

Advertisement
Advertisement

Paul Pierce EMAX Promotion

The primary charge is that Paul Pierce promoted the EMAX tokens on Twitter after receiving $244,000 worth of EMAX tokens. He did not make it public that he received the tokens in exchange for promoting it, said the SEC’s statement. Terming the charges as reminder to celebrities, SEC Chair Gary Gensler said influencers need to disclose details of rewards they are receiving while promoting crypto asset ‘securities’.

“The law requires you to disclose to the public from whom and how much you are getting paid to promote investment in securities, and you can’t lie to investors when you tout a security.”

The latest SEC action on crypto related activities comes just a week after charged crypto exchange Kraken with failing to register its crypto staking service. Kraken entered into an SEC settlement agreement which involved discontinuing of the staking service and payment of $30 million in disgorgement, prejudgment interest and civil penalties.

Also Read: Macro Headwinds To Eat Up Bitcoin (BTC) Price Gains Through Weekend?

Advertisement
Anvesh Reddy
Anvesh reports major crypto updates around U.S. regulation and market moving trends. Published over 1400 articles so far on crypto and blockchain. A proud dropout of University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Can be reached at [email protected] or x.com/BitcoinReddy or linkedin.com/in/anveshreddybtc/
Why trust CoinGape: CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.