WASHINGTON, Oct 3 — Kim Kardashian has agreed to settle charges of unlawfully touting a crypto security and to pay US$1.26 million (RM5.85 million) in penalties, disgorgement and interest, the US Securities and Exchange Commission said today.

The SEC said in a statement that reality television star and influencer Kardashian failed to disclose that she was paid US$250,000 to publish the post about EMAX tokens, the crypto asset security being offered by EthereumMax on her Instagram account.

"This case is a reminder that, when celebrities or influencers endorse investment opportunities, including crypto asset securities, it doesn’t mean that those investment products are right for all investors,” SEC Chair Gary Gensler said.

The US regulator also charged Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and a music producer known as "DJ Khaled” in November 2018 for allegedly not disclosing payments they received for promoting investments in initial coin offerings.

Neither Mayweather nor Khaled Mohamed Khaled admitted or denied the SEC’s charges, but agreed to pay a combined US$767,500 in fines and penalties. — Reuters