A complete, standalone summary cannot be produced from the provided excerpt alone due to missing context on events, charges, and reactions.

The case sits within a broader pattern of legal actions involving major crypto figures, including related discussions around other crypto executives and potential actions in the sector.

The U.S. Attorney stated the case aimed to hold perpetrators accountable for economic crimes that harm investors and erode trust in digital asset markets.

A separate restitution and financial-penalties hearing is scheduled for April.

The judge rejected defense arguments based on Karony’s age or background, underscoring the seriousness of the conduct.

Another alleged conspirator, Kyle Nagy, remains at large; authorities are still pursuing him.

Prosecutors argued that Karony and co-conspirators diverted funds from a locked liquidity pool while publicly claiming safety of investors’ assets.

Two SafeMoon executives are connected to the case: former CTO Thomas Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, with sentencing pending; Kyle Nagy is a co-conspirator at large.

Karony was ordered to forfeit approximately $7.5 million in assets, with the restitution amount to be finalized later.

Braden John Karony, the former SafeMoon CEO, was sentenced to 100 months in prison for defrauding investors and unlawfully draining about $9 million from SafeMoon’s liquidity pool in 2021 to fund a lavish lifestyle.

U.S. prosecutors and Judge Eric Komitee characterized the scheme as theft rather than mere fraud, emphasizing that funds were diverted from a supposedly locked liquidity pool while investors were reassured their assets were safe.

Karony must forfeit roughly $7.5 million and two residences as restitution, with the overall restitution amount to be determined in a later hearing.