SEC Whistleblower Attorneys

Filing a Crypto Whistleblower Case with the SEC

If you know about fraud, misconduct, or violations involving cryptocurrency or blockchain, you can report it to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a whistleblower.

If your information helps the SEC enforce the law, you could be eligible for a financial reward.

Confidentiality of Whistleblower Claims

The SEC takes confidentiality seriously. Under Section 21F(h)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, your identity cannot be disclosed unless required by a court order or requested by another law enforcement authority.

You can even submit your tip anonymously if you have an attorney representing you, which helps keep your identity fully protected.

Award Payments for Crypto Whistleblowers

If the information you provide leads to an enforcement action resulting in more than $1 million in sanctions, you may be eligible for a reward.

The award typically ranges from 10% to 30% of the total monetary sanctions collected by the SEC.

Awards are paid from the SEC’s Investor Protection Fund, which means that they do not depend on the agency’s budget or the outcome of the enforcement.

Whistleblower Protection Rights

The Dodd-Frank Act provides strong protections for whistleblowers. Your employer cannot retaliate against you for reporting violations to the SEC.

This means they cannot fire, demote, suspend, threaten, or discriminate against you.

If retaliation occurs, you have the right to sue in federal court, as affirmed by Digital Realty Trust, Inc. v. Somers, 138 S.Ct. 767 (2018).

Timeline for Processing Whistleblower Claims

The process for handling whistleblower claims can take time, often anywhere from a year to several years, depending on the complexity of the case.

The SEC needs to investigate thoroughly, and enforcement actions can be lengthy. It’s important to be patient and stay engaged throughout the process.

Why You Need an Experienced Whistleblower Attorney

Working with an experienced whistleblower attorney can make a huge difference in your case. The SEC whistleblower process is complex, especially for crypto cases.

A knowledgeable attorney can:

• Help you prepare a thorough submission that meets all SEC requirements.
• Protect your identity and rights throughout the process.
• Present your evidence in the best possible way to increase your chances of getting a significant award.
• Advocate for you if there are disputes about eligibility or if you face retaliation.

Having legal counsel with experience in whistleblower cases ensures that you are well-prepared and that your interests are protected.

The attorneys at Dilendorf Law Firm represent clients in crypto whistleblower disputes, providing the experience needed to navigate the complexities of these cases and maximize potential awards.

At Dilendorf Law, we assist corporate insiders in addressing situations where they are asked to engage in unethical, unlawful, or questionable practices, or when they have concerns that their employer may be violating securities or other laws.

Recent SEC Whistleblower Awards

The SEC has awarded millions of dollars to whistleblowers whose information has led to successful enforcement actions.

In one case (SEC Release No. 100543), the SEC awarded more than $37 Million to a whistleblower who provided information not previously known to the SEC and which significantly contributed to a successful enforcement action.

In another, a whistleblower received $18 million whose information and assistance led to a successful SEC enforcement action.

Ten Recent SEC Whistleblower Awards

• SEC Awards More Than $28 Million (SEC Release No. 91933): $28 million awarded to a whistleblower who aided SEC and other agency actions.
• SEC Awards $22 Million to Two Whistleblowers (SEC Release No. 91808): $22 million to two whistleblowers whose information and assistance were of crucial importance to successful SEC enforcement actions brought against a financial services firm.
• SEC Awards More Than $37 Million (SEC Release No. 100543): $37 million granted to a whistleblower whose information helped the agency return millions of dollars to harmed investors.
• Largest-Ever SEC Whistleblower Award (SEC Release No. 97438): $279 million awarded to a whistleblower whose tips have contributed to enforcement actions resulting in orders requiring bad actors to disgorge more than $4 billion in ill-gotten gains and interest.
• SEC Awards More Than $20 Million (SEC Release No. 96474): $20 million to a whistleblower whose detailed submissions and cooperation with the investigation helped uncover securities law violations, which led to the imposition of substantial monetary sanctions.
• SEC Issues $28 Million Award (SEC Release No. 96739): $28 million for whistleblowers who provided substantial analysis and ongoing assistance, which resulted in the return of millions of dollars to harmed investors.
• SEC Awards More Than $104 Million (SEC Release No. 98054): $104 million for seven whistleblowers who were composed of two sets of joint claimants and three single claimants, and each provided information that either prompted the opening of or significantly contributed to an SEC investigation.
• SEC Awards More Than $37 Million (SEC Release No. 96527): $37 million awarded to  the whistleblower who was the initial source of the company’s internal investigation, as well as the source for investigations by the SEC and another agency.
• SEC Issues $12 Million Award (SEC Release No. 101299): $12 million awarded to the joint whistleblowers provided the SEC significant information and extensive cooperation, which helped expand the scope of the investigation and the charges brought in the enforcement action and also saved the agency substantial time and resources.
• SEC Awards Approximately $18 Million (SEC Release No. 96705): $18 million to three whistleblowers who provided valuable information and assistance, which played a critical role in the SEC bringing an enforcement action and returning millions of dollars to harmed investors.

These awards show the SEC’s dedication to rewarding those who come forward with valuable information.

An experienced attorney can help you maximize your chances of receiving a substantial award while protecting your rights.

Our team works with whistleblowers to bring their matters to the SEC, collaborating with a former prosecutor and securities enforcement attorney.

If we accept your case, our services are offered on a contingency basis, meaning you pay only if we succeed.

Relevant Statutes and Case Law

• Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: Established the SEC Whistleblower Program and provides whistleblower protections, including anti-retaliation measures.
• Exchange Act Section 21F: Covers whistleblower awards and confidentiality.
• Digital Realty Trust, Inc. v. Somers: Reinforces whistleblower protections against retaliation.
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: Provides additional protections for whistleblowers in the financial industry, including protection from employer retaliation.
• Securities Act of 1933: Governs the registration and issuance of securities, often cited in whistleblower cases involving unregistered offerings.
• Securities Exchange Act of 1934: Establishes regulations for secondary securities trading, which plays a role in many whistleblower enforcement actions.
• Investment Advisers Act of 1940: Imposes fiduciary duties on investment advisers, relevant in cases where crypto advisers mislead investors.
• Commodity Exchange Act: Regulates commodity futures and options markets, applicable to whistleblower cases involving crypto derivatives.

For more information or to learn about your rights as a crypto whistleblower, reach out to Dilendorf Law Firm at (212) 457-9797 or via email info@dilendorf.com to guide you through the process and protect your interests.

We keep up to date with the latest SEC Awards:

• 10, 2024 | SEC Issues $12 Million Award to Joint Whistleblowers | Copy of the Order
• July 17, 2024 | SEC Awards More Than $37 Million to a Whistleblower| Copy of the Order
• 25, 2023 | SEC Awards Whistleblower More Than $18 Million| Copy of the Order
• 4, 2023 | SEC Awards More Than $104 Million to Seven Whistleblowers | Copy of the Order
• July 12, 2023 | SEC Awards Whistleblower More Than $9 Million| Copy of the Order
• 19, 2023 | SEC Awards Approximately $18 Million to Three Whistleblowers| Copy of the Order
• 19, 2022 | SEC Awards More Than $37 Million to Whistleblower| Copy of the Order
• 24, 2021 | SEC Awards Approximately $36 Million to Whistleblower| Copy of the Order
• 22, 2020 | SEC Issues Record $114 Million Whistleblower Award| Copy of the Order
• 31, 2022 | SEC Awards More Than $10 Million to Whistleblower| Copy of the Order
• May 10, 2021 | SEC Awards $22 Million to Two Whistleblowers| Copy of the Order
• 12, 2022 | SEC Awards More Than $20 Million to Whistleblower| Copy of the Order
• 23, 2021 | SEC Awards More Than $9.2 Million to Whistleblower for Successful Related Actions, Including Agreement With DOJ| Copy of the Order