Elon Musk’s $258 Billion Dogecoin Lawsuit Dismissed: Judge Calls Tweets 'Aspirational Puffery'

The Dismissal of a $258 Billion Lawsuit: Musk's Tweets as "Aspirational Puffery”

In a significant legal victory, Elon Musk and Tesla Incorporated emerged triumphant after a federal lawsuit accusing them of inflating the price of Dogecoin was dismissed.

The lawsuit, filed by a group of disgruntled investors who claimed to have lost tens of thousands of dollars, alleged that Musk manipulated the value of the cryptocurrency through a series of tweets and public statements.

According to the plaintiffs, these actions led to a staggering $258 billion in damages, framing the events as part of a "pyramid scheme."

The investors' allegations centred around Musk's social media influence, particularly on Twitter, where he commands a massive following.

A notable instance cited in the lawsuit was Musk's tweet: "One word: Doge," which the investors claimed caused a significant spike in Dogecoin's price.

Furthermore, Musk's announcement that Tesla would accept Dogecoin as payment for its merchandise was highlighted as another factor contributing to the cryptocurrency's inflated value.

However, on August 29, 2024, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan ruled against the plaintiffs, finding their claims unconvincing.

Aspirational Puffery or Manipulation? Judge Hellerstein's Verdict

Judge Hellerstein's decision rested on the argument that Musk's statements were "aspirational" rather than concrete, factual declarations.

He emphasised that these tweets could not be reasonably interpreted as reliable financial advice.

According to the judge, "no reasonable investor could rely upon them," a statement that highlights the inherent risk and speculative nature of investing based on social media posts.

The judge further elaborated that Musk's tweets, such as his lighthearted claim of becoming the "official CEO of Dogecoin" or his suggestion that a "literal" Dogecoin might be sent to the moon aboard a SpaceX vehicle, were "aspirational puffery" — statements made in jest and not intended to be taken seriously by the market.

The plaintiffs also accused Musk and Tesla of orchestrating a "pump and dump" scheme, manipulating Dogecoin's price through well-timed trades that aligned with Musk's public statements.

They alleged that Musk deliberately drove Dogecoin's price up by more than 36,000% over two years, only to let it crash, causing substantial financial harm to investors.

However, Judge Hellerstein found these claims to be too vague and unsubstantiated, stating that it was "not possible to understand" the basis of the insider trading accusations.

Musk's Publicity Stunts: Real Impact or Just an Illusion?

The lawsuit highlighted several high-profile events, including Musk's appearance on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" in 2021, where he made references to Dogecoin, and a memorable incident in April 2023 when he temporarily replaced Twitter's blue bird logo with Dogecoin's Shiba Inu dog logo.

The latter action caused Dogecoin's price to spike by 30%, after which Musk allegedly sold a portion of his holdings, leading to a sharp decline in the cryptocurrency's value.

But he wasn’t the only one selling, which significantly impacted the value:

Despite these allegations, Musk's legal team argued that the plaintiffs' claims lacked merit, describing the lawsuit as a "fanciful work of fiction" and asserting that Musk's tweets were "absolutely harmless."

The legal team's arguments ultimately prevailed, as Judge Hellerstein dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning that the plaintiffs cannot refile the lawsuit.

This outcome represents a resounding victory for Musk and Tesla, with Musk's lawyer, Alex Spiro, celebrating the decision as "a very good day for Dogecoin."

The Wild Ride of Crypto Investment

Investing in cryptocurrency is like riding a rollercoaster; the highs can be exhilarating, but the lows can be stomach-churning.

Prices can fluctuate rapidly, often without warning.

A tweet, a news article, or even a random rumour can send prices soaring or plummeting in a matter of seconds. It's essential to understand this inherent volatility before diving into the crypto market.

In this case, Musk’s tweets.

Investing in cryptocurrencies should be considered a calculated risk, and expecting stability is akin to trying to control the weather.

This is the nature of crypto investment, so there is no one to blame.

The Aftermath of Musk's Influence on the Future of Dogecoin

This ruling not only clears Elon Musk and Tesla of any wrongdoing in relation to Dogecoin but also sets a precedent for how social media statements by influential figures are interpreted in legal contexts.

Musk's history of making comic and often cryptic tweets about various cryptocurrencies has repeatedly demonstrated the power of his influence over the market.

However, as Judge Hellerstein's ruling makes clear, such tweets should not be construed as financial advice or as a basis for sound investment decisions.

While the dismissal of the lawsuit may bring some relief to Musk and his supporters, it also raises questions about the future of Dogecoin and other cryptocurrencies subject to market manipulation claims.

As of the time of the ruling, Dogecoin's price remained relatively stable, with a slight gain of 0.2% over the last 24 hours, according to CoinGecko data.

Dogecoin is currently trading at $0.1004.

However, the cryptocurrency has seen a 20.2% decline in the past month, reflecting the volatility that has become synonymous with digital assets.