Crypto YouTuber Tom Nash was served a lawsuit notice via Twitter in a groundbreaking move in the FTX investor lawsuit.
In an unprecedented legal move, Tom Nash, a crypto YouTuber, received a lawsuit notice via Twitter after a US court permitted the action. Unable to reach him through traditional means, lawyers turned to this novel approach. The Moskowitz Law Firm, which represents an FTX investor in a class-action lawsuit, obtained approval from a Florida district court judge to serve Nash through a Twitter post on May 2. Nash is the final defendant among ten individuals accused of promoting the now-insolvent cryptocurrency exchange FTX without disclosing their remuneration.
Serving Lawsuit Notice Through Twitter
On May 2, the court order authorized The Moskowitz Law Firm to serve Nash, a well-known crypto YouTuber believed to reside in Georgia, with legal notice through a tweet. The firm tweeted its notice to Nash, including his Twitter handle in the post, thus legally notifying him of the lawsuit.
The legal document detailed the steps for serving Nash using Twitter. The law firm had to share a legal notice URL via its official Twitter account, tagging Nash’s handle. Additionally, Moskowitz had to send the URL to Nash’s publicly disclosed email address. The filing reasoned that Nash’s extensive internet use and established online presence made this method a reliable way to contact him. It also emphasized Nash’s Twitter usage and public acknowledgement of a personal email address.
Email Address Verification
When lawyers previously emailed Nash at the address he had publicly shared, the message did not return as undeliverable. This indicated that Nash had indeed received the lawsuit, and his email address was valid and functioning. A federal ruling permits district courts to order alternative methods of service for foreign defendants, as long as they comply with international agreements and are likely to effectively notify the defendant.
Both Georgia and the US adhere to The Hague Convention, which prescribes a standardized process for serving legal documents between treaty signatory countries. This convention allows for unconventional methods of service, like the one employed in this case, under certain conditions.
Other Defendants in the FTX Lawsuit
Alongside Nash, the class-action lawsuit names nine other defendants, featuring seven YouTubers such as Graham Stephan, Brian Jung, and Ben Armstrong, also known as “BitBoy Crypto.” The suit also mentioned Creators Agency, the talent management firm responsible for FTX’s promotion, and its founder, Erika Kullberg.
Armstrong had previously skipped a court appearance scheduled for April 20 to discuss allegations of harassment toward the plaintiffs’ counsel. In lieu of attending the hearing, Armstrong shared pictures of himself vacationing in the Bahamas on Twitter and openly ridiculed the court order.
This case marks an intriguing development in legal strategies, as serving a lawsuit notice via Twitter is a bold move that may set a precedent for future cases. With the rapid evolution of technology and communication methods, it is essential for the legal system to adapt and find innovative ways to serve justice. As more people conduct their lives and businesses online, this case may serve as a harbinger of the future of legal proceedings in the digital age.