Rodney “Bitcoin Rodney” Burton, a 56-year-old crypto promoter, is facing serious legal consequences following a superseding indictment filed by U.S. prosecutors in the District of Maryland on December 12, 2025. The indictment centers on Burton’s alleged involvement in promoting HyperFund and its related platforms, which authorities claim operated as part of a fraudulent scheme amounting to $1.8 billion.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the charges, detailing that Burton is accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, seven counts of money laundering, and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud conspiracy and each wire fraud count, up to 10 years for each money laundering count, and up to five years for the unlicensed money transmission count. Sentencing will depend on federal guidelines and other statutory factors.
Allegations Against HyperFund
According to the indictment, HyperFund operated between June 2020 and May 2024, selling “memberships” that promised daily returns ranging from 0.5% to 1%. The marketing materials projected that investors could double or triple their initial investments over time, presenting these rewards as passive income derived from the platform’s operations. However, prosecutors argue that these claims were misleading, asserting that HyperFund falsely promoted large-scale cryptocurrency mining as a primary revenue source to support these payouts. Authorities claim that the mining operations did not exist.
Additionally, the indictment states that HyperFund began restricting withdrawals as early as 2021, which limited investor access to their funds. Prosecutors allege that Burton misappropriated investor money to acquire luxury assets, including condominiums, sports cars, and a yacht.
Legal Proceedings and Flight Risk Concerns
In earlier filings, Burton faced charges related to unlicensed money transmission. Reports indicate that he was arrested in January 2024 at Miami International Airport while attempting to board a flight to the United Arab Emirates with a one-way ticket. Due to concerns over his potential flight risk, a federal judge denied him bail, and he has remained in custody since.
The trial is scheduled for March 2026, where Burton will be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case has broader implications, as federal authorities have linked HyperFund to other brands, including HyperTech, HyperCapital, HyperVerse, and HyperNation.
In related developments, the Justice Department previously charged co-founder Xue Lee, also known as Sam Lee, and promoter Brenda “Bitcoin Beautee” Chunga. Chunga has pleaded guilty to charges, while Lee remains at large. On the same day, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed civil charges against HyperFund, alleging it raised over $1.7 billion globally.
The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding HyperFund serve as a stark reminder of the risks associated with cryptocurrency investments and the importance of regulatory oversight in protecting investors from fraudulent schemes.
