Part 7/9:
In a curious twist on cryptocurrency scandals, the case of Gerald Cotten, founder of the Canadian exchange Quadriga CX, captivated audiences with its mystery. Cotton died unexpectedly during a honeymoon in India, leaving behind an estimated $250 million in inaccessible cryptocurrency held on his exchange. His death propelled conspiracy theories among investors, many of whom speculated he faked his demise to avoid accountability.
Cotten had maintained control over a single wallet that stored all customer assets, which raised concerns regarding the integrity of the exchange long before his passing. After his death, the absence of access to private keys meant funds remained locked forever, and the circumstances surrounding his demise only fueled uncertainty and suspicion among investors.