Wolf Capital CEO Sentenced to 5 Years for $9.4M Ponzi

15th November 2025 – Travis Ford, co-founder and former CEO of Wolf Capital Crypto Trading Company, has been sentenced to five years in prison. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the ruling on November 14, marking one of the latest high-profile crypto fraud convictions in the U.S.

$9.4 Million Ponzi Scheme Unravels

Ford pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Between January and August 2023, he and his co-conspirators lured over 2,800 investors into a fraudulent investment scheme.

They promised daily returns of 1–2%, claiming an annualized return of over 547%. None of that was real.

Instead of trading with the funds, Ford diverted the money for personal gain. The DOJ said he misled investors by marketing himself as a “sophisticated trader” who could deliver high returns.

He now owes over $1 million in forfeiture and $170,000 in restitution.

Fake Promises, Real Damage

Ford used Wolf Capital’s website and social media promotions to draw in victims. He publicly backed the firm and promised performance it couldn’t deliver.

Court records reveal that the company was actually losing money. There were no real returns. Only lies.

Ford admitted during his plea that he never believed such returns were even possible.

Crypto Ponzi Fraudsters

Another Chapter in Crypto Fraud

This case adds to a growing list of crypto-related Ponzi schemes drawing legal action.

Just days earlier, a Chinese national dubbed the “Cryptoqueen” received an 11-year sentence in the U.K. for orchestrating a separate multibillion-dollar fraud. She held over 61,000 BTC at the time of her arrest.

As enforcement actions pick up, the Ford conviction shows U.S. authorities are stepping up efforts to hold crypto scammers accountable.