We took a closer look at the Complaint against Bored Ape creator Yuga Labs, Moonpay, et al. focusing on the celebrities. Even though the Complaint is 95 pages long, it’s not that detailed about many of the celebrities. Here are the main allegations against the celebrities:
(1) All celebs are alleged to have received Bored Apes or other Yuga NFTs/ApeCoin without paying for them, in exchange for their promotion, which was not disclosed.
(2) 11 celebs are alleged investors in Moonpay, which allegedly brokered deal in 1. They are highlighted in gray below.
(3) 3 celebs are alleged to have ties to Guy Oseary who allegedly masterminded the scheme. They are highlighted in blue.
(4) 4 celebs have little or no prior tie to Moonpay or Oseary. Khaled especially, and he was one of the last defendants listed in the Complaint probably for that reason. I will add a few thoughts in the comments!
The main allegation of trading Bored Apes for celebrities undisclosed promotions hinges on the celebs not paying or reimbursing Moonpay to buy the Bored Apes. That’s a key issue that requires proof. The Complaint appears to be relying on “information and belief” thus far. (Moonpay touted itself as a way for the wealthy people to buy NFTs without having to navigate cryptocurrency, so it’s possible celebs still paid or reimbursed Moonpay for the NFTs. So key issue.) If the celebs paid Moonpay for the Bored Apes, then this theory won’t hold water.
[**COI disclosure: I own Yuga NFTs and ApeCoin.]
