The sudden death of Gerald Cotten in December 2018 plunged the world of cryptocurrency into chaos. [19] The series will be entitled Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King. For More Updates OnCelebrity Babies,Feuds,Their Riches,Siblings, AndEntertainment, Keep In Touch WitheCelebritymirror. Netflixs Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King provides an insight into what happened to Gerry and the money that Quadrigas customers had invested on the platform. How much Net worth does Gerald Cotten have? He had thick sweeps of strawberry-blond hair, boyish enthusiasm and the kind of sunny disposition that made people want to be around him. gerald cotten spotted. Removal men are spotted outside the London home of Colin Firth's ex-wife four years after their divorce [7][8], Cotten's death, and the loss of his keys, has been offered as a cautionary tale, when other instances of crypto-currency loss have come to light. Cotten is thought to have methodically gone about his "death," naming his wife the sole executor of his estate 12 days before passing, and bequeathing properties from a jointly operated . It was a terrible, terrible moment., She mostly remained away from the public spotlight apart from interview appearances in January 2022. I don't know who this other person is, but he's let me down so much.". Rumors circulated at the time that Robertsons husband had faked his death and fled with millions of dollars. Banks did not want to deal with crypto companies. Likewise, the public was not much intrigued about their lives up until Geralds name got tainted by him being a fraud. Gerald Cotten, who was the 30-year-old founder of cryptocurrency trading platform Quadriga CX, died while he was on his honeymoon in India in 2018 The company kept his death secret for a month. 1 April 2022. Itd be a form of closure for some people.. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Netflixs new documentary about Cotten and the mystery of his death. He remained successful in exchanging $7.4 million Canadian dollars in Bitcoin through his exchange Quadriga. He had thick sweeps of strawberry-blond hair, boyish enthusiasm and the kind of sunny disposition that made people want to be around him. Nonetheless, Jennifer has authored a book, Bitcoin Widow Love, Betrayal and the Missing Millions with Stephen Kimber. His wife Jennifer Robertson, accompanied Cotten to the hospital on December 8, 2018, when he experienced a crisis in his ongoing battle with Crohn's disease. With Amy Castor, Allen Depa, David Gerard, Imroz Maur. It launched when Bitcoin sold for less than $300 per coin. . Eighteen months after Gerald Cotten, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of QuadrigaCX, was reported to have died while doing volunteer work at an orphanage in India, and most crypto users . While Jennifer said she stopped processing payments in 2016, customer receipts showed the firm continued paying customers in 2017. According to the film, Cotten was embalmed in the anatomy department of a Jaipur medical college, no autopsy was done and the body got shipped back to Canada. Also Read:Find Out If Kateri Dion Is Still Nyjah Hustons Girlfriend. Conventionally, the former QuadrigaCX founder only wrote the said will a few weeks after the two exchanged wedding vows. "That means $190 million of customers' holdings are inside, and no one can access them." Connected by a quest to recover their lost funds, a band of Bitcoin investors morph into a cyber-sleuth collective called The Committee. About this same time, according to court documents filed two years later, Quadriga's "Chris Markay" accountan alias controlled by Gerald Cottenis credited with $100 million fake bucks. [12] In January 2019 CIBC had frozen several accounts with $26 million CAD on deposit, claiming it couldn't be sure who the funds actually belonged to. ", In its report, the Ontario Securities Commission recorded: "The downfall of crypto-asset trading platform Quadriga CX (Quadriga) resulted from a fraud committed by Quadriga's co-founder and CEO Gerald Cotten.". They wound up at the Fortis Escorts Hospital, a private hospital that offered superior medical service to most of Indias public hospitals. The company gradually grew over the years to amass . According to the authorities, about $169 million of the funds were missing, with five of the six cold wallets used to store the cryptocurrency being empty since April 2018. Nonetheless, given that the two had been together for years, we can assume that they had a great relationship. Now years after Cottens death Netlifx has released his story in their Series Crypto King. I put myself into a deep hole and the only way to dig out of it was to sell my house.. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Munish Sehgal is an Indian writer from Punjab, India. Gerald Cotten Defrauding He was the owner of Quadriga Fintech Solutions (QuadrigaCX) an exchange that deals in CryptoCurrency. Roughly $200 million (Canadian) in customer funds disappeared along with him. When Bitcoin started crashing before Cotten's death and people tried to withdraw their money all at once, Cotten's company was on track to lose millions of dollars. He was better known for working on the post of CEO at Quadriga Fintech Solutions. The story, as chronicled in a new documentary, Dead Mans Switch: A Crypto Mystery, streaming on Discovery+ Thursday, began in 2014 when Cotten and Michael Patryn launched Quadriga. He continued raising money with this exchange and also tried successfully in getting his company listed on Canadian Securities Exchange. }); Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License. And some investors are suspicious that he may have faked his own death. In the end, Gerry was accused of running a Ponzi scheme and using the customers money to make risky trades on other cryptocurrency exchanges. Newsweek has everything you need to know. She later explained it, saying, I hadnt understood how Quadriga had held money in the first place; I thought it was just a trade. Jennifer only knew that she was paid a commission to process payments for QuadrigaCX via a firm set up in her name. The dude literally said that comment as a complete joke, and I even . She attributed that to a failed marriage and not liking her birth name (Griffith). Jennifer met Gerry in November 2014 on Tinder. Regarding speculation that he was still alive, Jennifer said, I saw Gerry die; I was holding his hand when he passed away. Medical experts also noted that the mortality rate of Crohns disease is relatively low but have speculated that Gerry might have had a perforated bowel. Investors could not get in their money quickly enough. Here's my take on Gerald Cotten and his suspicious death. I think there were a couple years when it ran legitimately I dont think Gerry could have imagined a future with money pouring in the way it eventually did.. Who knows? said McDonald. Height, Wiki, Biography, Birthday, Parents, Girlfriend,, The Eminence In Shadow Season 2 Release Date, Plot, Updates, Who is Anand Giri Maharaj? Jennifer now lives in Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her two pet dogs. This story has been shared 105,331 times. All theories are unproven and Cotten is believed to have died in December 2018. Before arriving in Jaipur, Cotten and Robertson had already traveled to some of Indias biggest tourist destinations, including the Taj Mahal and Varanasi. Gerald must be 5 feet and 9 inches tall when he was alive. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', [13] In spite of the hospital's efforts, he went through a septic shock and had several cardiac arrests, dying, finally, on December 9, 2018. Yet, on October 8, 2019, Gerald Cottens wife returned 12 million Canadian dollars to Quadriga from her husbands estate. September 27, 2021 by Sunil Chaulagain. Cotten In 2013 was looking for a programmer to help him create a bitcoin marketplace using the account name Murdoch1337 on a BlackHat Forum and this account was last seen active in August 2019 at this point he should have been "dead" for a long time. I ended up losing my life savings I lost $400,000, he said in the documentary. According to VanderKlippes reporting, they planned to stay in Jaipur for four days. However, his wife claimed that she had no idea how the founder handled his finances. ", https://web.archive.org/web/20200308012304/https://www.mondaq.com/canada/Technology/901106/Dealing-With-Digital-Assets-On-Death-Who-Owns-Them-Who-Can-Access-Them-What-Can-Be-Done-To-Protect-Them, "To The Grave: Mystery of rogue Bitcoin trader who died taking with him password to $215m fortune sparking rumours he faked his death", https://web.archive.org/web/20210729014641/https://www.the-sun.com/news/3365741/mystery-bitcoin-trader-password-fake-death/, "Drug dealer loses $58M in bitcoin after landlord accidentally throws codes out", https://www.cnet.com/news/drug-dealer-loses-58m-in-bitcoin-after-landlord-accidentally-throws-codes-out/, https://web.archive.org/web/20210727143224/https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/bitcoin-gerald-cotten-quadriga-cx-death, https://web.archive.org/web/20210522215407/https://www.todayville.com/details-emerging-about-gerald-cotten-the-young-founder-of-quadrigacx-4/, "Judge rules with CIBC, grants possession of disputed Quadriga funds to Ontario Superior Court", https://web.archive.org/web/20190124200914/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-judge-rules-with-cibc-grants-possession-of-disputed-quadriga-funds-to/, "Crypto firm CEO with $190 million password did die in Jaipur hospital", https://web.archive.org/web/20190208122506/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/man-with-190m-password-did-die-in-jaipur-hospital/articleshow/67876757.cms?from=mdr&fbclid=IwAR1QzXbiwC96b1M0xasSWpBOy48GR0aOv5O1LHNQi6tfviR1hZGetTu-te0, https://web.archive.org/web/20190208181956/https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/details-emerging-about-gerald-cotten-the-young-founder-of-quadrigacx-1.4287471, "Ponzi schemes, private yachts, and a missing $250 million in Crypto: The strange tale of Quadriga", https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/11/the-strange-tale-of-quadriga-gerald-cotten, "Revealed: London bank accounts that could hold key to dead crypto tycoon's lost millions", https://web.archive.org/web/20200317010559/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2020/03/15/revealed-london-bank-accounts-could-hold-key-dead-crypto-tycoons/, "Host Takara Small brings fresh perspective to the tech world in new CBC podcast: A Death in Cryptoland unravels the mysterious life & death of crypto-tycoon Gerald Cotten", https://web.archive.org/web/20210728171201/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/host-takara-small-brings-fresh-perspective-to-the-tech-world-in-new-cbc-podcast-1.6034398, "Tales from the crypto: Documentary explores life and death of Canadian CEO -- and the disappearance of $215 million of cryptocurrency", https://web.archive.org/web/20210714141431/https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/arts/tales-from-the-crypto-574828102.html, "Netflix true-crime documentary dives into cryptic death of crypto millionaire Gerald Cotten", https://web.archive.org/web/20210928123409/https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-documentary-crypto-gerald-cotten-death-2021-9, "A New Netflix Doco Will Deep Dive Into One Of Cryptos Biggest Scandals", https://web.archive.org/web/20210927035921/https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2021/09/trust-no-one-the-hunt-for-the-crypto-king/, "Netflix is making a documentary about the QuadrigaCX Bitcoin saga: When founder Gerald Cotten died in 2018, hundreds of millions in crypto assets allegedly became inaccessible", https://web.archive.org/web/20211001002122/https://www.engadget.com/netflix-documentary-quadrigacx-bitcoin-gerald-cotten-150253816.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAN3Lp3mUevfwynupx5jFRGvhiem5hBxfSnZkTioY_DIdXVjtMDQPmSwIAfyMJ03t-lyw5AaoVb8gjYUnAXSEFgJyW3xqDDc4XlWvCbgsXOyX26sKEkfdz4ny38adeRhCJNCnJMYy-5DGVmzUaHgSLj494PSPu7iCOVvYgxxY_NYS, "Quadriga's mystery 'cold wallets' were emptied months before Gerald Cotten's death", https://web.archive.org/web/20190924152355/https://business.financialpost.com/technology/blockchain/quadriga-cold-wallets-found-to-be-empty-report, "An insiders view of the Quadriga meltdown: 'Its all kind of really suspicious", https://web.archive.org/web/20190418130345/https://business.financialpost.com/technology/an-insiders-view-of-the-quadriga-meltdown-its-kinda-devastating, "How Gerald Cotten built Quadriga and created the ensuing crypto storm", https://web.archive.org/web/20200308012557/https://business.financialpost.com/technology/blockchain/how-gerald-cotten-built-quadriga-and-created-the-ensuing-crypto-storm?video_autoplay=true, "Bitcoin: Millions of dollars of cryptocurrency 'lost' after man dies with only password: Conspiracy theories have been raised about the whereabouts of the QuadrigaCX exchange's funds", https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/bitcoin-exchange-quadrigacx-password-cryptocurrency-scam-a8763676.html, "Bitcoin boss Gerald Cotten may have faked death and escaped with $234m fortune: Many believe Gerald Cotten is alive and escaped with a $234 million fortune, with investigators calling to dig up his body. According to the Netflix documentary, at least 110,000 customers were affected. Nonetheless, Jennifer has authored a book. He didnt give enough time. Shortly thereafter, Cottens heart stopped beating. They had been living at a hotel in Jaipur, India, when Gerry came down with an intense stomach ache just days into their holiday. Many even claim that the businessman used the money from his company for his personal use. People then demanded that his body be exhumed to prove he was truly dead. Everything was going well until the press released the news of his death. mode: 'thumbnails-a', The pair were then enjoying their honeymoon in Jaipur, India. He was the owner of luxury assets like cars, boats, yachts, and private jets. He was doing well for his company and has earned high goodwill for his company with his lot of efforts. Furthermore, Gerry signed his will less than two weeks before his death, leaving all of his assets to Jennifer. Gerald Cotten died mysteriously with a large sum of money in his bank account, leaving everything to his wife. CIBC had called for the court to take the frozen funds in trust, and conduct its own determination as to its genuine owners. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; At the time, Gerry ran QuadrigaCX and profited from Bitcoins astronomical rise in value. }); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Tong Zou, pria berusia 33 asal Kanada, adalah salah satu investor di platform trading cryptocurrency terbesar di Kanada, Quadriga CX. He completed his graduation from Punjab University. Regardless, she must be living a comfortable life with what was left of her fortune. He quickly started. Gone stupid. As a result, where the money went is unknown to this date. Cryptocurrencies are volatile, and unregulated. Jennifer Robertson and Gerald Cottens wedding took place in Scotland. It is actually plausible that he is not dead even though I have no idea how likely that is, he told The Post. They reported that Quadriga investors claimed Cotten and Patryn had a background in Ponzi schemes: In 2020 pressure mounted for Cotten's body to be exhumed, to confirm he had not faked is death. But blood work showed Cotten had developed septic shock. Indian authorities maintain that Cotten, whose body was repatriated to Nova Scotia for a small closed-casket funeral, died on Dec. 9, 2018, shortly after checking into a luxury hotel in Jaipur. But after his death in December 2018 the investor in QuaridgaCX faces a huge loss because $142 million USD Bitcoins got locked in offline wallets that were inaccessible. At the time of his death, he was a wealthy man. As heard in Trust No One, some Quadriga investors believed Cotten faked his own death and ran off with millions as part of an "exit scam," others believed he had his face modified by a plastic surgeon and was no longer recognizable. In the aftermath, Jennifer agreed to return $12 million from the estate as part of a settlement. [6], In 2013, three years after graduation Cotten co-founded QuadrigaCX, a cryptocurrency exchange, with a man known as Mike Patryn.[6][11]. Dr. Sharma explained that, at this point, performing surgery or even a CT scan was no longer an option: First we had to stabilize him. He loves to create content on the internet. However, no one could be more shocked than the crypto community when they later found out that Gerald was the only person with the passcodes to customer funds. The death of Gerald caused a big loss to his family and even to investors who invested in QuadrigaCX. A report by auditor Ernst & Young also found funds were transferred to Cotten personally and to other parties. Gerald Cotten was the founder of QuadrigaCX, once Canada's largest cryptocurrency exchange. But users claimed they received deposits from Jennifer directly, seemingly contradicting her statement. Exit Scam is a true crime podcast that looks at the case of Gerald Cotten, the founder of Canada's biggest Bitcoin exchange, who died in 2018 under mysterious circumstances during a honeymoon trip to India. In the early 2000s, he met Patryn, who was six years older and has a mysterious past. 9 episodes. Article content. The sham ran for three months before shutting down with investors money disappearing. Geen resultaat . Cotten was left as its CEO and sole director, after other directors resigned, in 2016. As for the death certificate, Gerrys name was misspelled on it, fueling theories about its authenticity and how easy it was to buy fake documents in India. Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King delves into the circumstances surrounding Gerrys death and what happened to the company after that. mode: 'thumbnails-a', They were to sponsor an orphanage in the country as well. }); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. There was no dead mans switch, which would have sent the codes to a predetermined source in the event that accounts went unopened for a period of days. Geralds death came as a shock and sparked an outpouring of grief. placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails 2nd', ", https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/investing/bitcoin-boss-gerald-cotten-may-have-faked-death-and-escaped-with-234m-fortune/news-story/353601cb283ba1a1f7d5ad95d32e10ed, "Regulators caution crypto trading platforms, issue guidance over misleading language in advertising", https://web.archive.org/web/20210924154946/https://betakit.com/regulators-caution-crypto-trading-platforms-issue-guidance-over-misleading-language-in-advertising/, "Bitcoin goldmine for hackers trying to steal 100bn of lost and forgotten crypto dosh", https://web.archive.org/web/20210729152359/https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/bitcoin-goldmine-hackers-trying-steal-24644762, "Patch me if you can: Password taken to the grave. Gerald Cotten, and his wife, Jennifer Robertson, in India, shortly before his death. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King is streaming on Netflix now. According to the documentary, Cotten had long suffered from Crohns disease but kept quiet about it. placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails 3rd', It was then revealed that Gerry presumably happened to be the only person with access to the digital keys to the cold wallets that held the cryptocurrency. At the time, he was the CEO of QuadrigaCX, a company that performed cryptocurrency exchanges. G erald Cotten was 15 when he ran his first documented get-rich-quick scheme. So far, Ernst & Young has tracked down just $33-million of the. During 2017, when the exchange was up to speed and running, the currencys value jumped to $13,000. Exit Scam on Apple Podcasts. And not everyone bought the story. A NEW documentary on rogue crypto trader Gerald Cotton, who took up to $215million in Bitcoin and other digital currencies to his grave, has sparked rumours he may have faked his death. These user-investors found a number of the details surrounding Cottens death that they believed to be suspicious: people dont often die from Crohns disease, especially not at 30; and Robertson didnt post about Cottens death until a month after the fact, and claimed that she couldnt access the exchange that only Cotten had had the ability to transfer investors money, meaning that their Bitcoin was lost forever. Jennifer was back in Nova Scotia, Canada, soon after that. In 2017 when a hike in the price of Bitcoin was seen from $1000 to $20000 Gerald remained successful in exchanging $1.2 billion Canadian dollars at his Quadriga exchange.