Argentine Lawyers Seek Interpol Arrest of Hayden Davis in LIBRA memecoin crackdown

Hayden Mark Davis, the American entrepreneur behind the controversial Libra memecoin, is now the prime target of Argentine authorities as they unravel a multimillion-dollar fraud investigation.

On March 12, 2025, Gregorio Dalbón, a prominent Argentine lawyer, submitted a formal request to prosecutor Eduardo Taiano in Buenos Aires, calling for an international arrest warrant against Davis. The filing reflects mounting concerns that Davis, with his substantial financial means, could flee the United States—where he resides—and evade accountability for a scheme that has left investors across borders reeling. Dalbón has urged Interpol to issue a red notice, amplifying the global stakes in a case that could see Davis extradited to Argentina to face justice. The request coming right after the news of learning that Davis has cashed out millions in alleged stolen funds.

The Libra project, once heralded as a key component of Argentine President Javier Milei’s “Viva la Libertad Project” to support small businesses, has morphed into a symbol of broken trust. Davis, its architect, is accused of leveraging Milei’s public backing to fuel the cryptocurrency’s rise, only for it to crumble amid allegations of mismanagement or worse.

Dalbón’s submission emphasizes Davis’s wealth and pivotal role in Libra’s promotion, arguing that he poses a flight risk capable of disappearing into hiding or leaving the U.S. entirely. This push for his arrest comes just days after Davis broke weeks of silence on Monday, announcing plans to defend himself in Argentina’s legal system. He has tapped Argentine lawyers Marcos Salt and Natalia Sergi, based in Buenos Aires, to represent him, though their appointments await formal confirmation for the case unfolding in Judge María Servini’s court. Davis maintains his innocence, asserting that Libra was a legitimate endeavor and that investors’ funds—amounting to millions—are secure, a claim met with widespread doubt.

On the international front, Davis has also enlisted Waymaker Law, a Los Angeles firm, with seasoned attorney Brian Klein leading his U.S.-based defense. Klein’s expertise in financial crime and cryptocurrency cases suggests a robust strategy to counter the allegations.

Meanwhile, Davis’s company, Kelsier Ventures, has publicly contradicted Milei’s stance, highlighting the president’s early endorsements of Libra before an abrupt withdrawal that saw social media support vanish. Dalbón alleges that Davis exploited connections to Milei and his sister Karina to lure investors—both in Argentina and abroad—into a venture that ultimately faltered, a narrative that could resonate with an international audience tracking the fallout.

Escalating Pressure as Testimony Nears

The spotlight on Davis will sharpen on March 13, 2025, when Martín Romeo, a cryptocurrency expert and Libra victim, testifies before Judge Sandra Arroyo Salgado in San Isidro, Argentina. Romeo, who once backed Milei, lost heavily in the collapse, as did others he advised from Argentina and beyond. His testimony could illuminate Davis’s actions, offering a firsthand perspective for authorities and an international readership following the case.

Jurisdictional tensions are brewing, with Servini overseeing most complaints—including one from Argentine economist Claudio Lozano—while Arroyo Salgado’s court stakes its claim, potentially muddying the pursuit of Davis. Additional filings from Argentine figures like activist Juan Grabois and lawmaker Itaí Hagman, alongside a separate economic crimes case in Buenos Aires, further tighten the pressure.