Gate News reports that on March 19, Argentine President Javier Milei once again found himself in the public eye amid the Libra cryptocurrency scandal. Forensic investigations reveal that several years before the Libra project launch, Milei received regular payments in U.S. dollars from Mauricio Novelli, a lobbyist associated with the project, with the amount significantly increasing after Milei assumed the presidency.
According to court documents and mobile phone data, starting in 2021, Novelli paid Milei approximately $2,000 per month under the guise of “financial and crypto course collaborations.” By April 2024, this amount had doubled to $4,000 and was transferred to his sister Karina Milei. Some of these funds were converted to cash through USDT sales.
The timing of these transactions closely aligns with the Libra project timeline. In February 2025, Milei publicly promoted a crypto token called Libra, attracting a large influx of investors and causing the price to surge rapidly. However, the token soon collapsed due to insider selling, with the project’s operators reportedly profiting millions of dollars. Recent communications also show that Milei had contact with promoters around the token’s launch.
The investigation further indicates that Milei has endorsed Novelli-related projects, including promoting tokens like Vulcano Game, which was later shut down amid fraud allegations. Additionally, Novelli is accused of leveraging his presidential connections to organize business activities and establish contacts with industry figures such as Julian Peh.
Currently, Argentina’s Congress and judicial authorities are investigating the matter, focusing on whether Milei used his official position to participate in or facilitate the operation of crypto projects. Despite Milei’s repeated denials of any misconduct, forensic evidence of long-term financial ties continues to fuel the controversy.
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