Musk Ordered to Depose in DOGE-Linked USAID Case

DOGE Faces Legal Scrutiny as New Ownership and Musk’s Deposition Orders Spark Regulatory Concerns

Dogecoin (DOGE) has seen a modest 0.62% price increase within the last 24 hours, reaching $0.08887. However, the broader context remains bearish, with a 14.58% drop over the last month and a 24.18% decline year-to-date. This divergence between short-term movement and long-term performance highlights growing uncertainty in the market, fueled by emerging legal and governance-related news tied to the cryptocurrency and its associated entities.

House of Doge Acquires Italian Club Amid Money Laundering Probe

On February 5, 2026, Italian authorities conducted raids on properties linked to Triestina, a historic third-tier football club recently acquired by the House of Doge, the corporate arm of Dogecoin. The club is currently under investigation for alleged corporate, tax, and money laundering offenses. Investigators are examining whether millions of euros were funneled into the club’s finances between 2022 and 2025 via dubious transactions and falsified capital entries. Triestina, which has had three different ownership structures in recent years, has been deducted 23 points for financial violations and now sits at the bottom of its league. The club has issued a public statement offering full cooperation with the judicial authorities.

Musk Faces Court-Ordered Deposition in DOGE-Linked Lawsuit

Separately, a U.S. federal court has ruled that Elon Musk must provide sworn testimony in a lawsuit involving the dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The case, brought forward by current and former USAID employees and contractors, alleges that Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he led during the Trump administration, acted unconstitutionally in the agency’s dismantling. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang rejected the administration’s claim that Musk qualifies as a high-ranking official exempt from deposition, stating that most of the DOGE leadership operated in informal or acting roles without clear constitutional protections. The judge, however, emphasized that the lack of documented decision-making—particularly around USAID’s shutdown—necessitates firsthand accounts to clarify accountability. Former USAID officials Peter Marocco and Jeremy Lewin will also be deposed.

Legal and Governance Risks Elevate Market Volatility

While DOGE’s 24-hour price gain may reflect short-term trading dynamics, the ongoing legal developments surrounding the House of Doge and Musk’s involvement in the DOGE initiative raise broader governance concerns. The convergence of cryptocurrency governance with traditional institutional scrutiny is likely to amplify regulatory scrutiny in the near future, particularly as courts continue to assess the legal boundaries of private actors in public administration.

These dual narratives—corporate financial missteps and executive legal challenges—underscore a broader trend of increasing regulatory and legal oversight across the crypto ecosystem. For investors and stakeholders, the unfolding cases may serve as early indicators of a shifting landscape where both corporate conduct and individual accountability are under heightened judicial and public scrutiny.