A Wyoming man who agreed to work for companies in Germany and the United Kingdom in exchange for cryptocurrency is suing both companies in federal court, claiming he was never paid.
Nathan Christian has filed lawsuits against OneM Communications and INVAO Trading AG, both identified as companies working in the blockchain sector, saying he is owed more than $1.4 million by the two companies.
Christian is identified in the lawsuit as a “heralded and respected advisor in the emerging field of blockchain technology” and was identified by CryptocCoin News in a 2018 interview was one of the world’s “top 10 people of blockchain.”
Christian’s lawsuits said that both companies hired him in 2018 to provide business guidance, advice and other services.
According to the lawsuit, INVAO, of Germany, was to pay Christian 120 Ethereum, a digital currency similar to Bitcoin, with a value of about $450,000, and 300,000 units of the INVAO Group’s own digital token worth about $250,000.
OneM Communications, of the United Kingdom, was to pay Christian 115 Ethereum, valued at about $440,000, and 0.5% of the company’s own digital token, valued at about $250,000.
The lawsuit filed Monday said in both cases, Christian did the work requested, but was never paid.
“The INVAO Group made it clear that they were essentially seeking nothing more than an individual who was established and connected int he world of blockchain to provide occasional advisory services,” the lawsuit against the company said. “Furthermore, they requested the privilege of listing Mr. Christian on their website and on their marketing materials as an advisor.
“Mr. Christian went above and beyond that,” the lawsuit continued. “He acted as a confidant, business advisor and deal-maker for the defendants in a good faith effort to promote their venture, but has yet to be paid as promised.”
The lawsuit accuses both companies of breach of contract and seeks at least $700,000 from INVAO and a judgment for unspecified compensatory damages against OneM.
