Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Kim Kardashian will pay $1.26 million in a crypto-related fine to the SEC. Here are other high-profile celebrities who have backed recent crypto ventures.<!-- wp:html --><p>Kim Kardashian at the World Trade Center on June 21, 2022.</p> <p class="copyright">Raymond Hall/GC Images</p> <p>Kim Kardashian agreed to pay the SEC $1.26 million related to an Instagram post promoting crypto.<br /> While most celebs have gone silent on crypto assets as prices collapse, Kardashian isn't the only star who touted it in recent years.<br /> See other celebrities who have publicly backed crypto, from Lebron James to Larry David. </p> <p>Kim Kardashian will pay a hefty fine linked to a crypto promotion that the SEC said broke its rules.</p> <p>Kardashian settled with the agency for $1.26 million after she <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kim-kardashian-crypto-ad-instagram-post-screenshot-2022-10">promoted EthereumMax on Instagram</a> in June 2021 and failed to disclose that she was paid $250,000. </p> <p>"This case is a reminder that, when celebrities or influencers endorse investment opportunities, including crypto asset securities, it doesn't mean that those investment products are right for all investors," SEC Chair Gary Gensler said </p> <p>The price of bitcoin and other crypto assets, including NFTs, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/crypto-market-collapse-sparks-regulation-efforts-2022-7">has collapsed</a> since surging to new highs in 2021. </p> <p>While most celebrities have fallen silent on their support for crypto in recent months, Kardashian was not the only mega-celebrity who publicly backed a crypto-related asset over the past two years. Check out some other notable examples. </p> <div> <div class="slide">Matt DamonMatt Damon Crypto.com commercial <p class="copyright">Crypto.com commercial</p> <p>Matt Damon's first foray into cryptocurrency came with a Super Bowl commercial for Crypto.com earlier this year.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hBC5TVdYT8">commercial</a> went viral for comparing cryptocurrency to some of humankind's greatest achievements, like the invention of the airplane or space exploration. </p> <p>If people invested in crypto after seeing Damon's commercial when it first aired, their investment would be <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/crypto-crash-losses-celeb-ads-matt-damon-tom-brady-2022-5">down significantly</a> today.  </p> <p> </p> </div> <div class="slide">Reese Witherspoon <p class="copyright">NBC / Getty Images</p> <p>In December 2021, the actress <a href="https://twitter.com/ReeseW/status/1467967292927463427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1467967292927463427%7Ctwgr%5Ec4a51c0fc94113bc763c43a4d2aa75054da2ce4c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fridaythings.com%2Frecent-posts%2Freese-witherspoon-crypto-nfts-tweets-ethereum">tweeted</a>, "crypto is here to stay. I'm committed to supporting creators who have pioneered the NFT space and encouraging more women to be a part of the conversation." </p> <p>Earlier this year, Witherspoon's media company, Hello Sunshine, announced a partnership with World of Women, an NFT collective with artwork from women creators. </p> <p>As part of the partnership, Hello Sunshine will use NFT characters in films and TV series, Variety <a href="https://variety.com/2022/film/news/reese-witherspoon-hello-sunshine-world-of-women-partner-nft-movies-tv-shows-live-events-1235185212/">reports</a>. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Tom BradyFTX crypto commercial featuring Tom Brady <p class="copyright">FTX</p> <p>Tom Brady regularly promotes cryptocurrency projects, even changing his <a href="https://twitter.com/TomBrady">profile picture</a> on Twitter to the laser eyes meme, a symbolic way to show support for Bitcoin. </p> <p>Brady co-founded an NFT agency called Autograph, which raised $170 million in Series B funding. </p> <p>In April this year, Brady purchased a Bored Ape NFT, a favorite amongst celebrities, for $430,000. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Naomi OsakaNaomi Osaka wears an FTX patch at the US Open <p class="copyright">Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</p> <p>In May of this year, FTX announced that Naomi Osaka would become an ambassador for the crypto exchange, joining other famous athletes like Tom Brady and Steph Curry. </p> <p>Osaka now wears a patch with the company's name while playing professional tennis as part of the partnership. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Jimmy FallonJimmy Fallon shows off his Bored Ape NFT <p class="copyright">The Tonight Show</p> <p>Jimmy Fallon has been an enthusiastic backer of Bored Ape NFTs, even briefly changing his profile picture on Twitter to his Bored Ape avatar and discussing the NFTs on his NBC late-night talk show, "The Tonight Show." Fallon owns at least two other NFTs, as well. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Post MalonePost Malone performs at the Rock in Rio music festival in Brazil on September 4, 2022. <p class="copyright">MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images</p> <p>Post Malone is another backer of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs. Last fall, the musician purchased two Bored Apes for $700,000. </p> <p>He featured the two Apes in the music video for his song "One Right Now" with The Weeknd. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Larry DavidFTX commercial starring Larry David <p class="copyright">FTX</p> <p>This year, Larry David starred in a Superbowl commercial for FTX that hinted to viewers to invest in cryptocurrency. </p> <p>After the price of crypto started collapsing, Jeff Schaffer, David's longtime collaborator and the director of the commercial, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/17/business/media/crypto-gwyneth-paltrow-matt-damon-reese-witherspoon.html">told the New York Times</a> that neither he nor David knew much about crypto. </p> <p>"Unfortunately, I don't think we'd have anything to add as we have no idea how cryptocurrency works (even after having it explained to us repeatedly), don't own it, and don't follow its market," he said. "We just set out to make a funny commercial!" he said. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Floyd Mayweather Jr.Floyd Mayweather. <p class="copyright">Reuters</p> <p>Mayweather Jr. has promoted crypto for years, but more than once, he found himself in hot water for his promotional methods. </p> <p>CNN <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/12/business/kim-kardashian-floyd-mayweather-crypto-lawsuit/index.html">reports</a> that the pro-boxer was sued along with Kim Kardashian for his promotion of EthereumMax, though a settlement for his participation has not yet been announced. </p> <p>In 2018, Mayweather Jr. <a href="https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2018-268">agreed to pay the SEC</a> more than $600,000 in fines for failing to disclose payments he received for promoting several ICOs, or Initial Coin Offerings. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Stephen CurryFTX commercial with Stephen Curry <p class="copyright">FTX</p> <p>Steph Curry has starred in commercials for FTX as an ambassador for the exchange. </p> <p>Last year, Curry <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-11/nba-s-steph-curry-sees-crypto-providing-access-to-opportunity?leadSource=uverify%20wall">told</a> Bloomberg that he believed crypto could be leveraged for economic opportunity and social mobility. </p> <p>Curry also owns a Bored Ape NFT, which he <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/steph-curry-nft-bored-ape-yacht-club-180000-ethereum-nba-2021-8">bought for $180,000</a> last summer. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Lebron JamesLebron James in a Crypto.com commercial <p class="copyright">Crypto.com</p> <p>LeBron James and the LeBron James Family Foundation <a href="https://crypto.com/company-news/lebron-james-and-the-lebron-james-family-foundation-announce-multi-year-partnership-with-crypto-com">announced</a> a multi-year partnership with Crypto.com earlier this year. James starred in a commercial for the company, in which he had a conversation with his younger self about the future. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Mila Kunis <p class="copyright">Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP</p> <p>Mila Kunis has expressed her desire to push women to invest in NFTs, calling crypto a "very masculine area" on a podcast with Conan O'Brien. </p> <p>Kunis produced a show called "Stoner Cats," which can only be viewed by people who buy one of the show's NFTs. Vitalik Buterin, who co-founded one of the largest cryptocurrencies, Ethereum, <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/vitalik-buterin-paid-ether-for-mila-kunis-nft-stoner-cats-2021-7">voices one of the characters</a> on the show. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Snoop DoggSnoop Dogg <p class="copyright">Noam Galai/Getty Images for SiriusXM</p> <p>Snoop Dogg entered the world of crypto early. </p> <p>He embraced Bitcoin back in 2013, <a href="https://twitter.com/SnoopDogg/status/407350025677586433">tweeting</a>, "My next record available in bitcoin n delivered in a drone." <a href="https://twitter.com/SnoopDogg/status/407350025677586433"></a> </p> <p>Earlier this year, the musician <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/28/snoop-dogg-on-crypto-winter-and-the-future-of-nfts.html">announced</a> that he planned to turn Death Row Records, a record label he bought earlier this year, into an "NFT label." </p> </div> <div class="slide">MadonnaMadonna <p class="copyright">Mondadori Portfolio / Contributor / Getty Images</p> <p>Earlier this year, Madonna teamed up with Beeple, the digital artist <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/art-auction-nft-beeple-top-selling-most-expensive-sale-millions-2021-3">whose NFT sold for $69 million</a> in an auction, to release a graphic NFT collection that includes NSFW images of the Queen of Pop giving birth to a tree. </p> <p>The images, which were auctioned in May amid the collapse in crypto prices, sold for significantly less than expected, <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/05/24/nft-auctions-from-beeple-madonna-flop-amid-crypto-crash/">according</a> to the New York Post.  </p> </div> <div class="slide">Paris HiltonParis Hilton on the Tonight Show taking about NFTs <p class="copyright">The Tonight Show</p> <p>Paris Hilton went all in on NFTs during the past two years, but she has invested in crypto for years. </p> <p>In April 2021, Hilton launched her own NFT collection, with one selling for <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/26/paris-hilton-has-invested-in-crypto-since-2016-heres-why-shes-betting-big-on-nfts-and-the-metaverse.html">over $1.11 million</a>, according to CNBC.  </p> <p>Hilton once told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/nov/06/how-nfts-non-fungible-tokens-are-shaking-up-the-art-world">The Guardian</a> that she owns more than 150 NFTs. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Mindy KalingMindy Kaling attends the 2022 Met Gala. <p class="copyright">Mike Coppola/Getty Images</p> <p>In January, Fortune <a href="https://fortune.com/longform/katie-haun-crypto-fund/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioscloser&stream=top#_ga=2.106526915.1755479513.1664835294-616313246.1662482114">reported</a> that Kaling signed on to become an "entertainment advisor" to notable cryptocurrency investor Katie Haun. </p> <p>Kaling also invests in bitcoin mining company TeraWulf. </p> </div> <div class="slide">Justin BieberJustin Bieber attends the 2022 Grammys. <p class="copyright">Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic</p> <p>In January of this year, Bieber purchased a Bored Ape NFT for $1.29 million, well higher than the asking price, <a href="https://news.bitcoin.com/pop-star-justin-bieber-buys-bored-ape-nft-for-1-29-million-pays-more-than-300-above-floor/">according</a> to Bitcoin.com. </p> <p>Bieber is also an investor in crypto fintech startup MoonPay, which also counts Gwyneth Paltrow, Snoop Dogg, and Ashton Kutcher as stakeholders. </p> </div> </div> <div class="read-original">Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/high-profile-celebrities-cryptocurrency-bitcoin-nft-promoted-kim-kardashian-list-2022-10">Business Insider</a></div><!-- /wp:html -->

Kim Kardashian at the World Trade Center on June 21, 2022.

Kim Kardashian agreed to pay the SEC $1.26 million related to an Instagram post promoting crypto.
While most celebs have gone silent on crypto assets as prices collapse, Kardashian isn’t the only star who touted it in recent years.
See other celebrities who have publicly backed crypto, from Lebron James to Larry David. 

Kim Kardashian will pay a hefty fine linked to a crypto promotion that the SEC said broke its rules.

Kardashian settled with the agency for $1.26 million after she promoted EthereumMax on Instagram in June 2021 and failed to disclose that she was paid $250,000. 

“This case is a reminder that, when celebrities or influencers endorse investment opportunities, including crypto asset securities, it doesn’t mean that those investment products are right for all investors,” SEC Chair Gary Gensler said 

The price of bitcoin and other crypto assets, including NFTs, has collapsed since surging to new highs in 2021. 

While most celebrities have fallen silent on their support for crypto in recent months, Kardashian was not the only mega-celebrity who publicly backed a crypto-related asset over the past two years. Check out some other notable examples. 

Matt DamonMatt Damon Crypto.com commercial

Matt Damon’s first foray into cryptocurrency came with a Super Bowl commercial for Crypto.com earlier this year.

The commercial went viral for comparing cryptocurrency to some of humankind’s greatest achievements, like the invention of the airplane or space exploration. 

If people invested in crypto after seeing Damon’s commercial when it first aired, their investment would be down significantly today.  

 

Reese Witherspoon

In December 2021, the actress tweeted, “crypto is here to stay. I’m committed to supporting creators who have pioneered the NFT space and encouraging more women to be a part of the conversation.” 

Earlier this year, Witherspoon’s media company, Hello Sunshine, announced a partnership with World of Women, an NFT collective with artwork from women creators. 

As part of the partnership, Hello Sunshine will use NFT characters in films and TV series, Variety reports

Tom BradyFTX crypto commercial featuring Tom Brady

Tom Brady regularly promotes cryptocurrency projects, even changing his profile picture on Twitter to the laser eyes meme, a symbolic way to show support for Bitcoin. 

Brady co-founded an NFT agency called Autograph, which raised $170 million in Series B funding. 

In April this year, Brady purchased a Bored Ape NFT, a favorite amongst celebrities, for $430,000. 

Naomi OsakaNaomi Osaka wears an FTX patch at the US Open

In May of this year, FTX announced that Naomi Osaka would become an ambassador for the crypto exchange, joining other famous athletes like Tom Brady and Steph Curry. 

Osaka now wears a patch with the company’s name while playing professional tennis as part of the partnership. 

Jimmy FallonJimmy Fallon shows off his Bored Ape NFT

Jimmy Fallon has been an enthusiastic backer of Bored Ape NFTs, even briefly changing his profile picture on Twitter to his Bored Ape avatar and discussing the NFTs on his NBC late-night talk show, “The Tonight Show.” Fallon owns at least two other NFTs, as well. 

Post MalonePost Malone performs at the Rock in Rio music festival in Brazil on September 4, 2022.

Post Malone is another backer of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs. Last fall, the musician purchased two Bored Apes for $700,000. 

He featured the two Apes in the music video for his song “One Right Now” with The Weeknd. 

Larry DavidFTX commercial starring Larry David

This year, Larry David starred in a Superbowl commercial for FTX that hinted to viewers to invest in cryptocurrency. 

After the price of crypto started collapsing, Jeff Schaffer, David’s longtime collaborator and the director of the commercial, told the New York Times that neither he nor David knew much about crypto. 

“Unfortunately, I don’t think we’d have anything to add as we have no idea how cryptocurrency works (even after having it explained to us repeatedly), don’t own it, and don’t follow its market,” he said. “We just set out to make a funny commercial!” he said. 

Floyd Mayweather Jr.Floyd Mayweather.

Mayweather Jr. has promoted crypto for years, but more than once, he found himself in hot water for his promotional methods. 

CNN reports that the pro-boxer was sued along with Kim Kardashian for his promotion of EthereumMax, though a settlement for his participation has not yet been announced. 

In 2018, Mayweather Jr. agreed to pay the SEC more than $600,000 in fines for failing to disclose payments he received for promoting several ICOs, or Initial Coin Offerings. 

Stephen CurryFTX commercial with Stephen Curry

Steph Curry has starred in commercials for FTX as an ambassador for the exchange. 

Last year, Curry told Bloomberg that he believed crypto could be leveraged for economic opportunity and social mobility. 

Curry also owns a Bored Ape NFT, which he bought for $180,000 last summer. 

Lebron JamesLebron James in a Crypto.com commercial

LeBron James and the LeBron James Family Foundation announced a multi-year partnership with Crypto.com earlier this year. James starred in a commercial for the company, in which he had a conversation with his younger self about the future. 

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis has expressed her desire to push women to invest in NFTs, calling crypto a “very masculine area” on a podcast with Conan O’Brien. 

Kunis produced a show called “Stoner Cats,” which can only be viewed by people who buy one of the show’s NFTs. Vitalik Buterin, who co-founded one of the largest cryptocurrencies, Ethereum, voices one of the characters on the show. 

Snoop DoggSnoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg entered the world of crypto early. 

He embraced Bitcoin back in 2013, tweeting, “My next record available in bitcoin n delivered in a drone.”  

Earlier this year, the musician announced that he planned to turn Death Row Records, a record label he bought earlier this year, into an “NFT label.” 

MadonnaMadonna

Earlier this year, Madonna teamed up with Beeple, the digital artist whose NFT sold for $69 million in an auction, to release a graphic NFT collection that includes NSFW images of the Queen of Pop giving birth to a tree. 

The images, which were auctioned in May amid the collapse in crypto prices, sold for significantly less than expected, according to the New York Post.  

Paris HiltonParis Hilton on the Tonight Show taking about NFTs

Paris Hilton went all in on NFTs during the past two years, but she has invested in crypto for years. 

In April 2021, Hilton launched her own NFT collection, with one selling for over $1.11 million, according to CNBC.  

Hilton once told The Guardian that she owns more than 150 NFTs. 

Mindy KalingMindy Kaling attends the 2022 Met Gala.

In January, Fortune reported that Kaling signed on to become an “entertainment advisor” to notable cryptocurrency investor Katie Haun. 

Kaling also invests in bitcoin mining company TeraWulf. 

Justin BieberJustin Bieber attends the 2022 Grammys.

In January of this year, Bieber purchased a Bored Ape NFT for $1.29 million, well higher than the asking price, according to Bitcoin.com. 

Bieber is also an investor in crypto fintech startup MoonPay, which also counts Gwyneth Paltrow, Snoop Dogg, and Ashton Kutcher as stakeholders. 

Read the original article on Business Insider

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