EthereumMax (EMAX)
A 2021 Ethereum token (unrelated to Ethereum) promoted by celebrities. The SEC charged Kim Kardashian for touting it without disclosing a $250,000 payment; she settled for $1.26M. A private 'pump-and-dump' class action was later dismissed.
Also known as: EthereumMax, EMAX
Summary
EthereumMax (EMAX) was an Ethereum-based token launched in 2021 that, despite its name, had no connection to Ethereum. It was heavily promoted by celebrities and later became the subject of an SEC enforcement action and private litigation. [1][2]
Celebrity promotion and SEC action
In 2022 the SEC charged Kim Kardashian for "unlawfully touting" EMAX without disclosing that she was paid $250,000 for an Instagram post. Without admitting or denying the findings, she settled for $1.26 million (about $260,000 disgorgement plus a $1,000,000 penalty) and agreed not to promote crypto asset securities for three years. [1][2]
Investor litigation
A class action accusing EthereumMax and celebrity promoters (Kim Kardashian, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Paul Pierce) of a "pump-and-dump" scheme was dismissed by a federal judge; EthereumMax disputed the allegations. [2][3]
Bracketed numbers refer to the numbered sources listed below.
People & entities involved
Sources (3)
See also
- Bitcoin Latinum (LTNM)TokensA ~$16M token offering (SAFTs for 'Bitcoin Latinum' / LTNM) that the SEC charged in 2026 as fraud: founder Donald Basile falsely called LTNM 'the world's first insured digital asset' backed by an 'existing trust,' neither of which existed, and diverted investor funds for personal use (including a $160,000 horse).
- Loci (LOCIcoin)TokensA 2017–2018 ICO for 'LOCIcoin' tied to the InnVenn IP-search platform. The SEC charged Loci and CEO John Wise with fraud for raising $7.6M on false claims about revenue, headcount, and user base; Wise also misused investor funds. Settled with a $7.6M penalty and an officer/director bar.
- Blockchain Terminal (BCT)Tokens
This page was last updated on Jun 8, 2026. View revision history.