Welcome to another edition of Trickster Tuesday, where we explore the intriguing and sometimes murky world of crypto. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the dramatic saga of Luna, its founder Do Kwon, and the recent events that have sent shockwaves through the crypto community.
Do Kwon, the co-founder and CEO of Terraform Labs, has been a prominent figure in the crypto world. His brainchild, Luna, was once a shining star in the cryptoverse, boasting a market cap in the billions. However, the collapse of Luna and its stablecoin UST, coupled with Kwon’s recent arrest, has turned this success story into a cautionary tale.
The Rise and Fall of Luna
Luna, the native token of the Terra blockchain, was once a beacon of hope for many investors. Its unique algorithmic stablecoin, UST, was designed to maintain a steady value, making it an attractive option for those wary of the volatility often associated with cryptocurrencies.
However, in May 2023, Luna and UST experienced a catastrophic collapse. Within a week, nearly $40 billion in market value was wiped out, leaving countless investors with significant losses. The stablecoin UST lost its peg to the dollar, trading at a mere $0.08, while Luna’s value plummeted from $77 to an almost non-existent $0.000001.
The Fugitive Founder
Following the collapse, Kwon became a fugitive. South Korea issued a warrant for his arrest in September, and Interpol followed suit with a red notice. Reports suggested that Kwon was hiding in Serbia, a country with no extradition agreement with South Korea.
However, the long arm of the law finally caught up with Kwon in Montenegro, a Balkan country bordering Serbia. He was arrested while attempting to travel through the country using falsified documents.
The Aftermath and Allegations
Kwon’s arrest has sparked a flurry of investigations and allegations. He is currently under investigation for tax evasion, with a corporate and income tax burden of $78.4 million. Furthermore, a specialized financial crimes unit in South Korea, the ‘Yeouido Grim Reaper’, has been tasked with investigating the methods by which Terraform Labs attracted investors to its tokens.
Kwon has disputed many of the findings in media reports and has expressed disappointment at the overreach of South Korea’s Financial Services Commission. He has called the charges against him “politically motivated” and maintains that he is complying with all document requests made by the South Korean prosecutors.
The Future of Luna
Despite the catastrophic collapse and the arrest of its founder, Luna’s story is far from over. Kwon has proposed a hard fork to create Luna Classic and Luna Core, with the new chain being fully community-owned. This proposal has received a positive response from the community, with 77.96% voting in favor.
As the community watches closely, the future of Luna hangs in the balance. Will it rise from the ashes, reinventing itself and restoring faith in the project? Only time will tell.
In this edition of Trickster Tuesday, we explored the gripping saga of Luna and Do Kwon, from the rise and fall of Luna to the arrest and ongoing investigations. This cautionary tale serves as a reminder of the risks and volatility inherent in the world of crypto. As we continue to navigate this exciting yet unpredictable landscape, it’s crucial to stay informed and tread carefully. Stay tuned for more tales from the cryptoverse, and remember – not everything that glitters is gold, or in this case, Luna.
AsicZ’s blog is your go-to source for the latest updates and insights in the crypto industry. AsicZ is a leading provider of volume mining hardware and Mining as a Service (MaaS) solutions. Whether you’re a crypto mining enthusiast or a professional miner, AsicZ offers a vast selection of mining equipment and services to optimize your mining operations. Visit AsicZ.com to learn more or contact the team directly at team@asicz.com.