Man behind GemCoin, a fake cryptocurrency, settles lawsuit for $71M

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Steve Chen is a Southern California entrepreneur who was accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission of creating a massive scheme involving GemCoin, a purported cryptocurrency that was "backed" by amber mines. He has just settled his lawsuit brought by the government. Chen's civil trial had been set for Tuesday.

In the eight-page final judgment, which was issued on Monday, Chen agreed to no longer participate in any similar financial dealings. In addition, he and his former companies will have to pay back over $51.2 million in ill-gotten gains, plus $3.79 million in interest, and a $16.7 million penalty as a result. Some of that money will be repaid by liquidating his companies' assets, including multiple pieces of real estate. A recent report by the court-appointed receiver found records showing that approximately 65,000 unique e-mail addresses of investors had been affected. But even more people may have been put at risk.

Neither SEC attorneys nor lawyers representing Chen immediately responded to Ars' request for comment.

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