The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Kim Kardashian for touting a cryptocurrency on social media without disclosing the payment she received for the promotion.
The billionaire reality star promoted a digital asset offered and sold by EthereumMax.
“This case is a reminder that, when celebrities or influencers endorse investment opportunities, including crypto asset securities, it doesn’t mean that those investment products are right for all investors,” said SEC Chair Gary Gensler.
“We encourage investors to consider an investment’s potential risks and opportunities in light of their own financial goals.”
“Ms. Kardashian’s case also serves as a reminder to celebrities and others that the law requires them to disclose to the public when and how much they are paid to promote investing in securities,” Gensler added.
“The federal securities laws are clear that any celebrity or other individual who promotes a crypto asset security must disclose the nature, source, and amount of compensation they received in exchange for the promotion,” said Gurbir S. Grewal, Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.
“Investors are entitled to know whether the publicity of a security is unbiased, and Ms. Kardashian failed to disclose this information.”
Kardashian agreed to settle the charges and will pay $1.26 million in penalties, disgorgement, and interest.
She will also cooperate with the Commission’s ongoing investigation.
The SEC issued a statement that said:
“The SEC’s order finds that Kardashian failed to disclose that she was paid $250,000 to publish a post on her Instagram account about EMAX tokens, the crypto asset security being offered by EthereumMax.
“Kardashian’s post contained a link to the EthereumMax website, which provided instructions for potential investors to purchase EMAX tokens.
“The SEC’s order finds that Kardashian violated the anti-touting provision of the federal securities laws.
“Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, Kardashian agreed to pay the aforementioned $1.26 million, including approximately $260,000 in disgorgement, which represents her promotional payment, plus prejudgment interest, and a $1,000,000 penalty.
“Kardashian also agreed to not promote any crypto asset securities for three years.
“The SEC’s investigation, which is continuing, is being conducted by Jon A. Daniels, Alison R. Levine, and Pamela Sawhney of the Enforcement Division’s Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit, and Kerri Palen, Lisa Knoop, and Victor Suthammanont of the New York Regional Office.
“The case was supervised by Mark R. Sylvester of the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit and Carolyn Welshhans,” the SEC said.
Today @SECGov, we charged Kim Kardashian for unlawfully touting a crypto security.
This case is a reminder that, when celebrities / influencers endorse investment opps, including crypto asset securities, it doesn’t mean those investment products are right for all investors.
— Gary Gensler (@GaryGensler) October 3, 2022
BREAKING: Kim Kardashian will pay $1.26 million over SEC allegations that she broke US rules by touting a crypto token without disclosing she was paid for the promotion https://t.co/zSeDLzqnVx pic.twitter.com/IcEycUcowf
— Bloomberg (@business) October 3, 2022
CNBC: Kim Kardashian is being charged by the SEC for her promotion of a crypto currency and agrees to pay a $1.26 million fine for failing to disclose that she was paid to promote EMAX tokens on Instagram.
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) October 3, 2022
