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US prosecutors in the District of Maryland filed a superseding indictment against Rodney “Bitcoin Rodney” Burton, a 56-year-old crypto promoter, on December 12, 2025. The government tied the case to Burton’s alleged role in marketing HyperFund and related successor platforms. The US Attorney’s Office said Attorney Kelly O. Hayes announced the indictment with the IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations.
The indictment lists conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two wire fraud counts, seven money laundering counts, and one count for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
If a jury returns guilty verdicts, federal law allows up to 20 years for the wire fraud conspiracy and each wire fraud count. It also allows up to 10 years for each money laundering count and up to five years for the unlicensed money transmission count. A sentencing judge will apply federal guidelines and other statutory factors.
Prosecutors say HyperFund operated from June 2020 through May 2024 and sold “memberships” that promised daily rewards of 0.5% to 1%. The marketing materials claimed investors could double or triple their initial contributions over time. Authorities say HyperFund presented the rewards as passive returns tied to the platform’s operations. Prosecutors said victims included investors in Maryland.
The superseding indictment says HyperFund promoted large-scale cryptocurrency mining as a key revenue source to justify the payouts. Prosecutors say the mining operations did not exist. Authorities also allege HyperFund began blocking or restricting withdrawals in 2021, which limited investor access to funds. Prosecutors further allege Burton used investor proceeds to buy luxury condominiums, sports cars, and a yacht.
Earlier filings charged Burton with offenses tied to unlicensed money transmission. Reports say authorities arrested him in January 2024 at Miami International Airport while he carried a one-way ticket to the United Arab Emirates.
A federal judge denied bail after prosecutors argued he posed an extreme flight risk, and Burton has remained in custody. The court has scheduled trial proceedings for March 2026. The court will presume Burton innocent unless prosecutors prove charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Federal authorities have also linked HyperFund to other brands, including HyperTech, HyperCapital, HyperVerse, and HyperNation. The Justice Department announced criminal charges in January 2024 against co-founder Xue Lee, also known as Sam Lee, and promoter Brenda “Bitcoin Beautee” Chunga, and Chunga pleaded guilty.
The SEC filed related civil charges the same day and alleged that HyperFund raised more than $1.7 billion worldwide. The SEC said Chunga agreed to settle, while Lee remains at large.
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