HyperFund Promoter Pleads Guilty In $1.8B Crypto Fraud Case
Rodney Burton, known online as “Bitcoin Rodney,” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business in connection with the HyperFund crypto fraud case. US authorities describe HyperFund as a large-scale investment scheme that solicited funds with promises of crypto mining, trading, and high returns. Burton’s plea adds to a broader DOJ crackdown on crypto investment programs that used referral networks, promoters, and crypto branding to attract retail investors. The case highlights how fraud in crypto often comes through high-yield investment pitches rather than hacks or exchange failures. Prosecutors have increasingly targeted not only scheme operators but also public-facing promoters who helped recruit investors and move money. Burton’s plea gives investigators another confirmed link in a long-running case that reflects how large crypto frauds can involve many layers of affiliates, payment channels, and promoters.
