Controversial bribery claims involving Libra cryptocurrency and Argentina's President Milei spark political fallout - IcoHolder.
New revelations about the controversial Libra (LIBRA) cryptocurrency token have surfaced, with accusations that one of its creators attempted to bribe Argentine President Javier Milei's sister, Karina Milei, in exchange for political influence. The allegations, reported by Argentine media outlet La Nacion on February 18, suggest that Hayden Davis, a key figure behind the Libra project and CEO of Kelsier Ventures, offered payments to Karina Milei in return for her brother publicly promoting the memecoin.
The text messages, which were reportedly sent by Davis to an executive at a crypto investment firm in December, contain troubling language. One message supposedly reads: "I send $$ to his sister and he does whatever I say and does what I want." Another message allegedly discusses arranging a meeting and having Milei tweet about the cryptocurrency, further suggesting an attempt to exert control over the president through his sister. The investment firm executive declined the offer, and the exchange has sparked significant public interest.
Davis has denied the accusations, with a spokesperson telling CoinDesk that he doesn’t recall sending the controversial messages and has no record of them on his phone. Furthermore, he has categorically denied making any payments to either Javier or Karina Milei. However, the messages, which La Nacion claims to have seen, have raised questions about the relationship between the cryptocurrency project and Argentina’s political figures.
The Libra Token Controversy and Milei's Denial
Davis and Kelsier Ventures were major beneficiaries when the Libra token launched, reportedly profiting around $100 million. At its peak, Libra’s market cap hit $4.5 billion, though the token experienced a dramatic collapse, losing 95% of its value shortly after.
In response to the scandal, President Milei has sought to distance himself from any direct involvement with the token, claiming that he did not "promote" Libra, as some fraud lawsuits have suggested. He defended his actions during a February 17 interview with Todo Noticias, explaining that he merely "spread the word" about the token and never engaged in promotional activities. Milei emphasized that he had nothing to hide and acted in "good faith," acknowledging, however, that he must learn from the controversy and set clearer boundaries for future conduct.
The unfolding situation has sparked political tension in Argentina, with opposition leaders calling for Milei’s impeachment. While the president insists that the issue is personal and does not involve the state, the scandal continues to raise serious questions about the intersection of politics and cryptocurrency in the country. The involvement of Milei's close family members only adds complexity to an already charged political environment.
