The Alabama Securities Commission issued a Cease and Desist Order against Ultra BTC Mining LLC aka Ultra Mining (Ultra) and its CEO and registered agent David Taylor, as well as Laura Branch, an agent for Ultra. Through the Order the Commission requested the parties to stop a purportedly fraudulent cryptocurrency cloud mining scheme. Ultra is also under investigation for its fraudulent misrepresentations related to Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) donations.
The Commission reviewed Ultra’s website representations and found that the firm claims to provide a modern, high efficiency platform for rental services for cryptocurrency cloud mining. The firm offers an investment opportunity, on their website, in the form of “mining plans” where investors invest in two-year plans for the purpose of mining cryptocurrencies. The mining activities are to be performed or leased by Ultra and the investment return is based on the hash rate purchased. Through its website Ultra offers an earnings-calculator to simulate investment returns of approximately 105% per annum. These projections are unrealistic based on any reasonable investment assumptions, unsustainable, and are per se fraudulent. According to the website, investors will benefit from the connection to mining pools. It also offers an “affiliate program” wherein investors earn a commission for referring business to the company. Furthermore, the Order states that Ultra placed an unsubstantiated claim on their website that they had donated $100,000 to UNICEF to fight COVID-19.
The Commission asserted that neither Ultra nor Ms. Branch had any registrations or licenses, in any capacity. Furthermore, Ultra violated Alabama’s securities laws by issuing and acting as agents in the sales of securities, in this case the mining plans. The Order does not prevent the Commission from seeking such other civil or criminal remedies that are available. If you believe you have been the victim or this or other investment scams, David A. Weintraub, P.A. would be interested in speaking with you.