Phone forensics reveal $5M contract draft linked to Milei's Libra token endorsement: Investigation
A forensic examination of Mauricio Novelli's mobile device has allegedly revealed a draft agreement detailing a $5 million compensation package connected to President Milei's endorsement of the Libra cryptocurrency.
Recent digital forensic evidence extracted from cryptocurrency lobbyist Mauricio Novelli's mobile device has unveiled a preliminary document indicating a potential $5 million arrangement linked to Argentine President Javier Milei's public endorsement of the Libra cryptocurrency, as reported by domestic news sources.
The documentation, extracted from Novelli's iPhone as part of a court-ordered probe into the Libra cryptocurrency controversy, describes a tripartite payment arrangement amounting to $5 million in total. Images of the notation emerged following the release of expert evidence that had been in the possession of prosecutor Eduardo Taiano since November, as disclosed by Argentine news platform El Destape.
The preliminary notation was purportedly composed in English on Feb. 11, 2025, merely three days prior to Milei publishing a post regarding the Libra cryptocurrency on X. "Hello friends, this is the final agreement discussed with H," the message commences, with the reference believed to indicate cryptocurrency entrepreneur Hayden Davis.
The documentation proceeds to describe the compensation arrangement. "$1.5M of liquid tokens or cash as an advance. $1.5M in liquid tokens or cash = Milei announces on Twitter that his advisor is Hayden Davis/Kelsier/the Davis family. $2M in tokens or cash = contract signed in person with Milei for blockchain/AI consulting for the Argentine government and/or Javier Milei and review with Javier and Karina," according to the text.
Significantly, the preliminary notation fails to identify the intended recipient of the payments.
Additional notation describes crisis communication following controversy
Law enforcement officials also retrieved an additional note created on Feb. 16, 2025, forty-eight hours following the online emergence of the Libra scandal. The text seems to sketch out a public declaration designed to defuse the developing situation.
"This is what I want for the tweet. This is the only thing that saves him, me, and us," states the Spanish-to-English translation of the note. The preliminary message subsequently expresses backing for the Libra initiative while refuting any monetary participation and blaming accusations of misconduct on political adversaries.
Law enforcement officials suspect the communication may have been crafted for Milei to publish on social networking platforms or cite during a media appearance, based on domestic news accounts.
Novelli was located in Dallas at the time of the token's debut. Telephone logs indicate he exchanged communications with Milei and his sibling Karina immediately preceding and following the president's social media publication concerning the cryptocurrency. As the scandal gained traction on the internet, Novelli additionally conducted several phone conversations with presidential advisor Santiago Caputo during the government's damage control efforts.
Libra achieved $4 billion valuation following Milei endorsement before collapse
In February of last year, Milei published a post on X concerning the Libra (LIBRA) memecoin, which momentarily achieved a $4 billion market valuation before collapsing 94% within a matter of hours.