Libra scandal: Alleged $5M payment agreement discovered

Key points:

• A document found on the phone of crypto lobbyist Mauricio Novelli outlines a $5 million payment scheme allegedly linked to the promotion of the Libra memecoin by Argentine President Javier Milei.
• The file was created three days before Milei posted about the token on X and coincides with a series of calls between individuals connected to the project.

Argentine outlet El Destape has published an investigation into a possible $5 million deal tied to the promotion of the Libra memecoin by President Javier Milei. The key document was reportedly discovered on the phone of crypto lobbyist Mauricio Novelli.

The file was found during a forensic examination of Novelli’s devices conducted by Argentina’s Technological Support Directorate for Criminal Investigations (DATIP). The document is dated February 11, 2025 — three days before Milei posted about Libra on X.

The note, written in English, begins with the phrase: “Hi friends, this is the final agreement discussed with H.” It outlines a three-stage payment structure totaling $5 million:

• $1.5 million as an upfront payment in tokens or cash
• $1.5 million after Milei publicly introduces Hayden Davis as his advisor on X
• $2 million after the president signs an official consulting agreement related to blockchain and AI

According to El Destape, the letter “H” likely refers to Hayden Davis, CEO of Kelsier Ventures and one of the key figures involved in the launch of Libra.

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The document does not specify who exactly was supposed to receive the payments. However, journalists suggest the funds may have been intended for the Milei siblings and intermediaries, including Novelli, Manuel Terrones Godoy, and Sergio Morales.

Calls Around the Libra Tweet

Forensic experts also analyzed phone records from Novelli’s device. According to their findings, communication around the token’s launch appeared to be coordinated.

Milei posted about Libra on February 14, 2025, at 7:01 PM. In the minutes before and after the post, he reportedly had several calls with Novelli — between 6:54 PM and 7:03 PM.

Later, Novelli called the president’s sister Karina Milei. She returned the call at 7:17 PM, and the conversation lasted more than two minutes.

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As the price of Libra began to fall sharply later that evening, more figures reportedly joined the discussions. Between 10:00 PM and midnight, Novelli spoke with:

• presidential advisor Demian Reidel
• Julian Peh from KIP Protocol
• senior Milei advisor Santiago Caputo

Calls reportedly continued after midnight as the crisis around the token deepened.

At 12:36 AM on February 15, KIP Protocol published a statement claiming that Libra was a successful project and that Milei had no role in its development. Two minutes later, the president posted that he had only shared information about what he believed to be a private project and had no direct involvement with it.

Another note dated February 16, 2025 was also reportedly found on Novelli’s phone. Investigators believe it may be a draft public statement prepared for Milei intended to mitigate the fallout from the scandal.