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Feds Charge Digital Banker in Alleged Cryptocurrency Scheme

  The FBI says the CEO of a Fort Worth-based cyber-bank duped hundreds of investors out of more than $4 million in a cryptocurrency scheme. Federal officials arrested AriseBank CEO Jared Rice in connection with the allegations Wednesday night.

According to court documents, Rice is accused of touting AriseBank as the country’s “first decentralized banking platform,” based on a proprietary digital currency called AriseCoin. 

AriseBank, however, was never authorized to conduct banking in Texas, nor was it FDIC insured. It also did not have any sort of partnership with Visa, as was reportedly claimed, according to the FBI.

In a statement, the FBI said that even as Rice advertised AriseBank’s nonexistent benefits he spent investors’ money on hotels, food, clothing, a and personal legal services.

Rice was charged with three counts of securities fraud and three counts of wire fraud.

Scott Morgan has been an award-winning journalist since 2001. His work has appeared in several newspapers and magazines as well as online. He has also been an editor, freelancer, speaker, writing teacher, author, and podcaster.