New forensic findings from the phone of crypto lobbyist Mauricio Novelli have revealed a draft document suggesting a possible $5 million agreement connected to Argentine President Javier Milei’s promotion of the Libra token, according to local media reports. The document, recovered from Novelli’s iPhone during a judicial investigation into the Libra crypto scandal, outlines a three-part payment structure totaling $5 million.
Payment Structure and Timeline
Screenshots of the note, which surfaced after expert materials held by prosecutor Eduardo Taiano since November were made public, show a detailed payment plan. The draft note, written in English on Feb. 11, 2025, just three days before Milei posted about the Libra token on X, begins with, “Hello friends, this is the final agreement discussed with H,” which is believed to refer to crypto entrepreneur Hayden Davis.
The document details the payment structure as follows: $1.5M of liquid tokens or cash as an advance; $1.5M in liquid tokens or cash, to be paid when Milei announces on Twitter that his advisor is Hayden Davis/Kelsier/the Davis family; and $2M in tokens or cash, to be paid upon the signing of a contract for blockchain/AI consulting for the Argentine government and/or Javier Milei, with a review with Javier and Karina.
Crisis Management Document
Investigators also recovered a separate note drafted on Feb. 16, 2025, two days after the Libra controversy erupted online. The message appears to outline a public statement intended to calm the situation. “This is what I want for the tweet. This is the only thing that saves him, me, and us,” the note’s translation from Spanish reads. The draft message then states support for the Libra project while denying any financial involvement and attributing accusations of wrongdoing to political opponents.
Authorities believe the message may have been prepared for Milei to post on social media or reference in an interview, according to local media reports.
Communication and Timeline
Novelli was in Dallas during the token’s launch. Call records show he communicated with Milei and his sister Karina shortly before and after the president’s social media post about the token. As the controversy spread online, Novelli also held multiple calls with presidential adviser Santiago Caputo while the government managed the crisis.
Market Impact and Political Fallout
In February last year, Milei posted on X about the Libra (LIBRA) memecoin, which briefly reached a $4 billion market capitalization before plunging 94% within hours. The crash wiped out hundreds of millions in investor funds and prompted opposition lawmakers to call for Milei’s impeachment. Milei later said he had merely “spread the word” about the token rather than promoted it.
The Libra scandal has raised significant questions about the intersection of cryptocurrency and politics, highlighting the need for greater transparency and regulation in the crypto space. As the investigation continues, the fallout could have far-reaching implications for both Milei’s administration and the broader crypto ecosystem in Argentina.
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