Bitcoin News Today: Crypto class-action lawsuits surge 100% in 2025 amid regulatory shifts

Class-action lawsuits against crypto firms have surged in 2025, reflecting growing investor frustration amid rapid regulatory and market shifts. A recent report from economic and financial consulting firm Cornerstone shows that the number of securities-related class actions filed against crypto companies in the first half of 2025 nearly matched the total for the entire previous year [1]. This trend extends beyond securities law, with cases also arising under consumer protection and fraud claims. The increasing litigation pressure is notable even as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under President Donald Trump has taken a more lenient enforcement stance.

Among the most prominent cases is the lawsuit against Bakkt, a U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange. Filed by lead plaintiff Guy Serge A. Franklin, the suit accuses Bakkt and several top executives of misleading investors about its financial stability, particularly in light of the loss of major clients like Bank of America and Webull [1]. The filing notes that Webull accounted for 74% of Bakkt’s crypto services revenue in 2023 and 2024, and Bank of America contributed 17% of loyalty services revenue in early 2024.

Coinbase, one of the largest crypto exchanges, faces multiple lawsuits across different states. In New Jersey, investor Wenduo Guo alleges that Coinbase failed to disclose that customer assets might be part of the company’s bankruptcy estate, potentially leaving retail customers as unsecured creditors [1]. Separately, Illinois residents filed a lawsuit in May 2025, claiming that Coinbase violated the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by collecting and retaining user faceprints without proper disclosure [1]. In addition, Coinbase announced in May that cybercriminals had bribed overseas support staff to leak customer data, leading to at least six new lawsuits shortly after the breach [1].

Strategy, the Bitcoin-focused investment vehicle led by Michael Saylor, is also under legal scrutiny. A class-action suit filed in mid-May alleges that the company and its executives made false or misleading statements regarding the profitability of its Bitcoin strategy and treasury operations [1]. The suit came shortly after Strategy’s purchase of 7,390 BTC for $764.9 million.

LIBRA, a token project backed by Argentine President Javier Milei, has drawn a class-action lawsuit from dissatisfied investors. The project initially gained traction after a now-deleted tweet from Milei, which briefly boosted the token’s price before a sharp decline [1]. Burwick Law filed a lawsuit against Kelsier Ventures, KIP Protocol, and Meteora, accusing them of a deceptive and unfair launch. The co-founder of Kelsier Ventures has attempted to dismiss the case on grounds of jurisdictional inapplicability.

Pump.fun, a memecoin launchpad, is facing serious legal charges, including racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The plaintiffs allege the platform operated like a “rigged slot machine,” generating $5.5 billion through speculative schemes [1]. They are seeking the rescission of all Pump.fun transactions and compensation for damages.

Nike is also under scrutiny for alleged misconduct in the NFT space. A lawsuit filed by users of its now-defunct NFT platform RTFKT claims the company violated consumer protection laws and offered unregistered securities in the form of NFTs [1]. The plaintiffs are seeking $5 million in damages.

These cases highlight a broader trend of legal exposure in the crypto industry. While some lawsuits may take years to resolve—such as the case against Binance, which reached the U.S. Supreme Court in January 2025—others, like those involving celebrity endorsements of FTX, have taken years to settle [1]. The rising tide of litigation underscores growing investor expectations for accountability and transparency, even in a sector still navigating regulatory uncertainty.

Source: [1] From Coinbase to Milei and LIBRA: Crypto class-action suits pile up (https://cointelegraph.com/news/coinbase-milei-libra-crypto-class-action-suits-pile)