Celsius founder Mashinsky calls 20 years in prison "the equivalent of dying in prison."

According to Cointelegraph, Alex Mashinsky, the former CEO of Celsius, has strongly opposed the Department of Justice's request for him to be sentenced to 20 years in prison, saying that the move would amount to "a death sentence in prison." Mashinsky pleaded guilty in December 2024 to manipulating the price of CEL tokens and cashing out $48 million before Celsius collapsed. His lawyer said Mashinsky was a first-time non-violent criminal and had a 30-year unblemished business record, arguing that the sentence should not exceed 366 days. Prosecutors contend that his actions were intentional fraud, and hundreds of users suffered property damage as a result. Sentencing is due on May 8.