Elon Musk and Tesla Win Dismissal of Dogecoin Market Manipulation Lawsuit

Published: Aug 30, 2024
Written By:
Sebastian Gamez
Sebastian Gamez
Milk Road Writer

Elon Musk and Tesla have been cleared of accusations of manipulating the Dogecoin market, with a U.S. judge ruling that Musk’s statements were not actionable.

Key points:

  • Lawsuit dismissed: Judge permanently dismissed the case, blocking any future claims.
  • Investor claims: The lawsuit alleged Musk’s tweets inflated Dogecoin’s price to benefit his holdings.
  • Judge’s reasoning: Statements were deemed “aspirational and puffery,” not reliable for market decisions.
  • Impact on Dogecoin: Slight drop in Dogecoin’s value post-ruling.
  • Legal precedent: Sets a tough bar for future cases involving social media influence on crypto markets.

Musk and Tesla Shake Off Dogecoin Lawsuit:

In a significant legal victory, Elon Musk and Tesla have successfully navigated a lawsuit accusing them of manipulating the Dogecoin market. 

Investors filed the class-action suit back in 2022, claiming that Musk’s prolific tweets and public statements were part of a strategy to inflate Dogecoin’s value for personal gain. 

The accusations pointed to moments like Musk’s self-proclaimed title as “CEO of Dogecoin” and his playful ambition to launch Dogecoin to the moon—literally, with SpaceX.

However, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein wasn’t buying it. On Thursday, he dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning the plaintiffs can’t bring it back to court. 

The judge’s reasoning? Musk’s comments were “aspirational and puffery,” the kind of light-hearted banter that no serious investor would rely on to make financial decisions. Simply put, the claims didn’t hold water.

This ruling is more than just a win for Musk; it sets a critical precedent for how social media chatter, especially from high-profile figures, is treated in the legal arena when it comes to crypto markets. 

Read more: Coinbase Plans to Launch Dogecoin Futures Contracts, DOGE Surges

The outcome might make future lawsuits of this nature much harder to pursue.

Dogecoin’s market took a minor hit following the news, but the impact was minimal, showing that while Musk’s words might move markets, the legal system isn’t easily swayed. 

This case underscores the complexities of navigating legal claims in the volatile world of cryptocurrencies, where a single tweet can send ripples through the market, but not necessarily through the courts​​.

Sebastian Gamez

Sebastian has been immersed in the crypto space since 2021, specializing in research and building a deep understanding of blockchain technologies. His expertise includes exploring innovative trends and sharing insights through content creation, all driven by his passion for how crypto can reshape industries and unlock new possibilities for the future.

Sebastian Gamez
Sebastian Gamez
Milk Road Writer
Sebastian has been immersed in the crypto space since 2021, specializing in research and building a deep understanding of blockchain technologies. His expertise includes exploring innovative trends and sharing insights through content creation, all driven by his passion for how crypto can reshape industries and unlock new possibilities for the future.