Former CEO of crypto exchange Mine Digital charged with fraud following ASIC investigation

On 21 October 2024, former CEO of ACCE Australia Pty Ltd, Grant Colthup, appeared in the Ipswich Magistrates Court charged with one count of fraud contrary to section 408C of the Penal Code 1899 (QLD ) following an ASIC investigation in relation to a $2.2 million cryptocurrency transaction in July 2022.

Between May 2019 and September 2022, ACCE operated a digital asset exchange platform and offered cryptocurrency trading services to its clients under the name “Mine Digital”.

ASIC alleges that a Mine Digital customer paid ACCE $2.2 million for Bitcoin and never received any cryptocurrency in exchange. ASIC alleges that Colthup used the funds to pay ACCE’s debts and/or purchase cryptocurrency for others.

The case was adjourned until December 16, 2024.

The matter is being prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (ODPP) following a referral to ASIC.

On September 23, 2022, ACCE entered administration.

On December 1, 2022, Brad Tonks of PKF was appointed liquidator of ACCE.

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