Goliath Ventures and its CEO, Christopher Alexander Delgado, are facing action from two US financial regulators over the same alleged crypto Ponzi scheme.
The actions came two months after Delgado pleaded guilty to charges in the case.
Regulators Target Goliath
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed a complaint against the company and Delgado in the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Securities and Exchange Commission filed separate charges on the same day.
The regulators allege that Goliath raised hundreds of millions of dollars from investors by promising to generate profits through crypto asset trading and liquidity pools. The CFTC said about 1,600 customers contributed at least $397 million, while the SEC put the amount raised at around $425 million from more than 1,300 investors.
According to the SEC, the company operated the scheme from at least January 2023 through January 2026 through an unregistered securities offering. Investors were told they could “partner” with Goliath to invest in crypto asset liquidity pools. They were promised monthly returns of 3% to 10% from fees paid by buyers and sellers trading crypto assets in those pools, in addition to the return of their principal.
The money, however, was not invested in the liquidity pools, the SEC claimed. Instead, funds from new and existing investors were allegedly used to pay promised returns to earlier investors. The CFTC also said customer funds were used to pay fictitious profits and support Delgado’s lifestyle.
The CEO took at least $51 million for personal use, including homes, luxury vehicles, a yacht, and travel, according to the filing. The company also hired sales agents to attract more investors and paid them commissions from investor funds. Account balances and investment performance figures were fabricated to make it appear that investors were earning profits and that their assets were invested in crypto pools, the SEC said.
Delgado Faces Permanent Bans
The defendants also issued false account statements and falsely guaranteed investment returns, according to the CFTC. By November 2025, Goliath could no longer bring in new money quickly enough to repay existing investors. It stopped monthly distributions, and the scheme collapsed.
The SEC charged Goliath and Delgado with violating several federal securities laws. Delgado has agreed to a bifurcated settlement, subject to court approval. He agreed to be permanently barred from violating the charged provisions, participating in certain securities transactions, and acting as or being associated with a broker or dealer.
