The U.S. Department of Justice has requested a 20-year prison sentence for Alex Mashinsky, founder of Celsius Network, due to substantial user losses exceeding $4.7 billion. This request underscores growing regulatory scrutiny in the cryptocurrency sector and raises concerns about investor confidence and market stability. The DOJ alleges that Mashinsky’s actions led to the freezing of assets for users, causing a significant financial disruption when Celsius halted withdrawals in 2022. The sentencing request cites Mashinsky’s alleged manipulation of Celsius’s native token CEL for personal gain as evidence of misconduct, similar to cases against prominent figures like Sam Bankman-Fried. This case highlights the need for robust regulations and investor protection in the burgeoning cryptocurrency industry.