CluCoin (CLU)
A Miami-based crypto token (CLU) that ran a 2021 ICO and pivoted to NFTs and a metaverse game. Founder Austin Michael Taylor ('DNPthree') secretly siphoned ~$1.14M of investor funds into online casinos; he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and was sentenced in 2025 to 27 months.
Also known as: CluCoin, CLU, Clu
Summary
CluCoin (CLU) launched on BNB Chain via a 2021 ICO, initially pitched with a charity angle and later pivoting to NFTs ("Goobers") and a metaverse game ("Xenia"); founder Austin Michael Taylor organized an "NFTCon: Into the Metaverse" event to drive interest. [1][2]
The fraud
Beginning in 2022, Taylor diverted about $1.14 million of funds earmarked for CluCoin projects to his personal accounts and then to online casinos (including Stake.com), where he lost the money to a gambling addiction. He publicly confessed to investors in January 2023 and ceded control of the project. [1][2]
Outcome
Taylor pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in August 2024 and, on February 14, 2025, was sentenced to 27 months in prison, three years of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, and $1.14 million in restitution and forfeiture. [1][2]
Bracketed numbers refer to the numbered sources listed below.
People & entities involved
Sources (2)
See also
$MELANIA tokenMarket manipulationA Solana memecoin announced by Melania Trump on Jan 19, 2025. Per FT analysis, ~24 wallets bought in minutes before the public announcement and netted ~$99.6M as retail piled in; the token then fell 95%+. Early buys were traced to wallets linked to $LIBRA figure Hayden Davis. No charges have been filed.
$TRUMP tokenMarket manipulationA Solana memecoin launched days before Donald Trump's second inauguration (Jan 2025). Trump-linked entities hold 80% of supply and earned $320M+ in fees while ~760,000 mostly-retail wallets lost money; a 'dinner with the president' promotion for top holders drew conflict-of-interest scrutiny. The 'scam' label is contested and no charges have been filed.
This page was last updated on Jun 15, 2026. View revision history.
