Get All Access for $5/mo

Kim Kardashian Slammed With $1.26 Million SEC Fine For Charges Linked to Instagram Crypto Promo The entrepreneur and reality star failed to disclose she received a $250,000 payment for promoting crypto platform EthereumMax.

By Sam Silverman

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

One of Kim Kardashian's Instagram posts has the reality star in trouble with the Security Exchange Commission (SEC).

Kardashian has agreed to pay a $1.26 million fine to the SEC after failing to disclose she received a $250,000 payment to promote the crypto token EthereumMax on Instagram back in June 2021, according to CNN Business.

The post in question, which was shared to her Instagram Story and since deleted, read, "This is not financial advice but sharing what my friends told me about the Ethereum max token!" followed by several hashtags including " #ad," "#emax" and "#disrupthistory."

However, it was ruled by the SEC on Monday that "#ad" wasn't sufficient for disclosing her paid promotion and the SEC found her in violation of the anti-touting provision.

Kardashian was ordered to pay a $1 million fine and forfeit her $250,000 payout, plus interest. Additionally, she agreed to no longer promote any crypto-related assets for three years.

Following the news, SEC Chair Gary Gensler shared a press release on Twitter.

"Ms. Kardashian is pleased to have resolved this matter with the SEC," according to a general statement from her attorney "Kardashian fully cooperated with the SEC from the very beginning and she remains willing to do whatever she can to assist the SEC in this matter.

Sam Silverman

Content Strategy Editor

Sam Silverman is a content strategy editor at Entrepreneur Media. She specializes in search engine optimization (SEO), and her work can be found in The US Sun, Nicki Swift, In Touch Weekly, Life & Style and Health. She writes for our news team with a focus on investigating scandals. Her coverage and expertise span from business news, entrepreneurship, technology, and true crime, to the latest in entertainment and TV news. Sam is a graduate of Lehigh University and currently resides in NYC. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

He Started a Business That Surpassed $100 Million in Under 3 Years: 'Consistent Revenue Right Out of the Gate'

Ryan Close, founder and CEO of Bartesian, had run a few small businesses on the side — but none of them excited him as much as the idea for a home cocktail machine.

Franchise

The Top 10 Coffee Franchises in 2024

From a classic cup of joe to a creamy latte, grab your favorite mug and get ready to brew up success with the best coffee franchises.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

'Do You Sell Cars?': Tesla CEO Elon Musk Trolls Jaguar Rebrand on X

The team running Jaguar's X account was working hard on social media this week.

Business News

'Jaw-Dropping Performance in 2024,' Says a Senior Analyst as Nvidia Reports Earnings

Nvidia reported its highly-anticipated third-quarter earnings on Wednesday.

Marketing

How Small Businesses Can Leverage Dark Social to Drive Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Dark social accounts for 70% of social media shares and is crucial for small businesses. Here's how you can tap into this hidden marketing opportunity.