The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission filed separate actions against Goliath Ventures and its CEO, Christopher Alexander Delgado, over an alleged crypto Ponzi scheme that raised hundreds of millions of dollars. The complaints landed in the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida on the same day, roughly two months after Delgado pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the case.
The alleged scheme
Regulators say Goliath promised investors monthly returns of 3% to 10% from fees, plus return of principal, by claiming to trade crypto assets and run liquidity pools. The CFTC counts about 1,600 customers who put in at least $397 million. The SEC's number is higher: around $425 million from more than 1,300 investors.
But the money never went into any liquidity pool. Instead, new investor funds were used to pay earlier investors — the classic Ponzi structure. Account balances and performance figures were fabricated to make the operation look profitable.
Where the money went
Delgado personally took at least $51 million, spending it on homes, luxury vehicles, a yacht, and travel. The company also hired sales agents and paid them commissions out of investor funds. None of that is disputed in the filings.
The collapse
By November 2025, Goliath could no longer bring in new money fast enough to keep up with redemption requests. The firm stopped distributions, and the whole thing fell apart. The scheme had run from at least January 2023 through January 2026, according to the article.
Delgado has agreed to a bifurcated settlement, subject to court approval. It would permanently bar him from violating the charged securities provisions, participating in certain securities transactions, and acting as or being associated with a broker or dealer. The court still has to sign off on that deal.
