Tennessee Couple on Hook for Crypto Fraud Millions

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A couple from Tennessee must cough up over $5.5 million after being caught in a digital assets scam, the CFTC ruled in September 2025.

Michael and Amanda Griffis ran a real estate company in Clarksville. They fooled more than 100 people. The pair collected around $6 million from investors in just six months—July 2022 to January 2023—through an unregistered commodity pool.

The "Blessing" That Wasn't

They called it "Blessings of God Thru Crypto." Ironic.

The Griffises lured in their real estate contacts with promises of huge profits from crypto futures trading. They had zero experience. None.

People trusted them with over $4 million for something called the "Apex Trading Platform." The money disappeared fast. It went to digital wallets beyond reach. Gone.

They spent nearly $1 million on themselves. Fancy jewelry. Recreational vehicles. Nice life.

The rest? It seems they just paid early investors to keep the scheme alive. Classic Ponzi move.

Paying the Price

Now the bill has come due. $5.5 million in restitution to victims.

The couple can't trade in commodities markets anymore. Ever. The ban is permanent. They're facing injunctions against violating more regulations, which isn't entirely clear in practical terms but sounds serious.

This case isn't isolated. The CFTC has been cracking down on crypto scams lately.

Michael Griffis apparently went back to the University of Florida as a robotics professor after two decades in industry. Amanda worked in education. Kind of surprising for people running such a scheme.

Their professional lives are now in shambles. Financial ruin looms. The consequences of fraud hit hard.

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