HEX Founder Richard Heart Subject of Interpol Red Notice for Tax Evasion
Richard Heart, founder of HEX and a notable figure in cryptocurrency, is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice due to accusations of tax evasion and violent assault. The notice calls for international authorities to locate and detain him for extradition. Heart, whose real name is Richard James Schueler, faces allegations of failing to meet tax obligations worth hundreds of millions of euros and allegedly assaulting a 16-year-old.
Despite these serious charges, Heart remains defiant, claiming the accusations are part of a conspiracy against him. He expressed confidence in his projects and hopes that the anticipated Trump administration will positively influence his legal challenges. In a public statement, he stated he feels safe and excited about the future, emphasizing the successful operation of his platforms — HEX, PulseChain, and PulseX.
Earlier this year, Heart’s legal team sought to counter the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) allegations of securities fraud in a letter to Judge Carol Bagley Amon of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The SEC’s investigation is part of ongoing scrutiny of his business operations.
Following the announcement of the Red Notice, the price of the HEX token surged by 30%, indicating an unusual market reaction. However, this increase was overshadowed by a significant drop in HEX’s market capitalization, which reportedly halved in December. Additionally, PulseX, another project associated with Heart, saw a sharp decline in total value locked, falling by nearly $200 million during the same period.
Heart maintains his innocence, portraying himself as a visionary targeted by powerful adversaries. He asserts that his lifelong preparation for future challenges is now paying off and insists that his projects remain resilient despite legal and financial setbacks.
As Interpol intensifies efforts to apprehend Heart, the cryptocurrency community remains divided. Supporters view him as a misunderstood innovator, while critics see him as a symbol of excess and unaccountability within the sector. The outcome of Heart’s legal battles is likely to have significant implications for the projects he founded and for investor confidence in his platforms.