The breakdown of settlement negotiations between Matthew Goettsche and the DOJ mean his case will proceed to trial.

As an insider of the BitClub Network Ponzi scheme, Goettsche and several co-conspirators were indicted back 2019.

Goettsche (right) rejected a plea deal in 2020, with negotiations continuing to through December 2025.

As per a letter the DOJ filed with the court on February 5th;

Since 2019, Goettsche’s counsel and the Government engaged in extensive plea negotiations that extended through December 2025, at which point it became clear to all parties that a negotiated resolution was no longer possible.

In light of the breakdown, both Goettsche and DOJ have requested the court schedule a trial date.

The DOJ has requested dates in November 2026. Goettsche wants the trial set for June 2026.

The DOJ positions Goettsche’s requested trial date as “unclear”.

Despite Goettsche’s request (made so far only by an email to Court staff) for a June 2026 trial date, defense counsel has not, after multiple attempts, explained how this date is feasible or even proposed a scheduling order to the Government.

At bottom, the difference between the June 2026 date preferred by Goettsche and the firm November 2026 date proposed by the Court amounts to only five months.

That relatively minimal additional time is far outweighed by the complexity of this case and the need for both parties to complete pretrial matters, including discovery, motion practice, and filter review, and prepare for trial itself.

Despite the Government sharing Goettsche’s desire for a trial as soon as practicable, the Government cannot see how a June 2026 date would be feasible at this point—nor has Goettsche offered any specific proposal or explanation.

At time of publication Goettsche’s finalized trial dates remain pending.

 

Update 20th April 2026 – On April 16th Matt Goettsche’s BitClub Network trial date was scheduled for October 6th, 2026.