Brazilian Judge Ends Inquiry Into Bitcoin Ponzi Scheme Mastermind’s Death

A Brazilian federal judge has ordered criminal charges against Johann Steynberg, the late CEO of the bitcoin trading platform Mirror Trading International (MTI), to be dropped after a police investigation confirmed reports of his death. The order was handed down by Judge Silvio Gemaque, who said Steynberg’s death certificate was added to the case file. After news of the MTI CEO’s death surfaced, some victims immediately cast aspersions on the claims. Some suggested Steynberg may have faked his death like convicted murderer Thabo Bester. At the time of his demise, Steynberg’s death certificate reportedly stated that he had suffered acute respiratory failure.