Florida Man Arrested in $328M Crypto Ponzi Scheme Tied to Goliath Ventures

A Florida man accused of orchestrating one of the largest crypto Ponzi schemes in recent history has been arrested, according to federal prosecutors. Christopher Alexander Delgado, 34, of Apopka, Florida, was taken into custody on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced Wednesday. If convicted, Delgado faces up to 30 years in federal prison. Authorities emphasized that a criminal complaint contains allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Prosecutors allege Delgado served as president and CEO of Goliath Ventures, formerly known as Gen-Z Venture Firm, from January 2023 to January 2026. During that time, he allegedly raised at least $328 million from investors by promoting cryptocurrency investment opportunities tied to so-called “liquidity pools.” Investors were promised monthly returns ranging from 3% to 8%, often described as guaranteed or low risk.

According to court filings, instead of deploying funds into crypto liquidity pools as advertised, Delgado allegedly operated Goliath Ventures as a Ponzi scheme. Investigators claim he used money from new investors to pay earlier participants and fulfill withdrawal requests. Blockchain analysis cited in the complaint reportedly shows that only about $1.5 million was sent to Uniswap, while the vast majority of investor funds were not invested as represented.

Authorities also allege Delgado used professional marketing materials, referral networks, luxury events, and charitable sponsorships to build credibility. Investors were given access to an online portal displaying steady returns, but prosecutors claim those account balances were fabricated to match promised gains.

The case highlights a broader rise in cryptocurrency fraud. A recent TRM Labs global report found that pyramid and Ponzi schemes collected approximately $6.1 billion in victim funds in 2025, a 49% increase year over year. The investigation is being led by IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, with officials urging potential victims to come forward.