I am conflicted on the definition of a ponzi. It seems to me that there are ponzi dynamics at play but sometimes the intent that makes it a "scheme", ala Bernie Madoff, with ringleaders is not always there. In this case there is Maschinsky with a lucrative insider exit, but was that planned all along, and did he cause the collapse that influenced his exit? I think not.

He didn’t cause the collapse, but he failed to deliver on his promise to his customers that Celsius was structured to protect their savings from market volatility. In fact, the promise was fake — it was never possible to fulfill, from the outset.