A Manhattan federal judge sentenced Florida cryptocurrency salesman David Brend to 10 years in prison for his involvement in the $58 million IcomTech Ponzi scheme, which promised investors unrealistic returns and led to significant financial losses. Co-defendant Gustavo Rodriguez received an 8-year sentence for his role in the same scheme. The judge emphasized the need for accountability, citing the scheme's impact on victims who were lured by promises of quick wealth. Additionally, in a separate case, a Las Vegas man was sentenced to over 4 years in prison for orchestrating a loan fraud scheme that defrauded lenders of more than $7 million. This case highlights ongoing issues in the financial sector, particularly related to fraud and mismanagement within the cryptocurrency market, as evidenced by the recent record $17.1 billion in fines and investor relief announced by the CFTC, largely due to actions against defunct crypto exchange FTX.