Canadian Heiress Sues Former Best Friend Over $80 Million Crypto Loss

The heiress of a major Canadian family is taking legal action against her ex-close friend after a failed cryptocurrency investment led to an $80 million loss. The dispute centers around decisions made after both women followed psychic advice to invest in a crypto token that tanked within a year.

Taylor Thomson, 66, daughter of one of Canada’s wealthiest families, and Ashley Richardson, 47, once a wealthy California mother, enjoyed a friendship spanning over 12 years, often sharing a luxurious lifestyle in Los Angeles. Their bond unraveled in 2022 when psychic advisors persuaded them to invest heavily in a cryptocurrency called Persistence, which soon plummeted, causing massive financial damage.

Thomson alleges Richardson secretly conducted risky trades behind her back, leveraging her wealth, and blames her for the significant financial loss. Richardson counters by accusing Thomson of betrayals and mismanagement, asserting she did her best to minimize losses and never made trades without approval. Richardson also claims Thomson used private investigators and even hired an FBI veteran to surveil her family during custody disputes.

The fallout resulted in Thomson suing Richardson and Persistence in 2023 for at least $25 million, claiming they intentionally led her into the risky investments as a “whale.” The parties reached a settlement with undisclosed terms, but Richardson is continuing her legal battle, filing a countersuit alleging defamation and seeking $10 million.

Both women discussed their investments and psychic consultations publicly, revealing that Richardson invested most of her savings while Thomson poured over $40 million into the venture. Richardson also claims she now earns a living as an Uber driver and struggles financially following the crypto collapse, while Thomson continues to pursue her legal claims and claims her former friend’s accusations are false.

Financial Turmoil and Personal Conflict

The incident highlights the volatile nature of crypto investments, especially when driven by external advice and emotional decision-making. The dispute illustrates how friendships can fracture over billion-dollar losses, with allegations of betrayal, manipulation, and personal animosities surfacing amid the financial chaos.