Marceliano Macias Fined and Suspended by FINRA

Soreide Law Group, based in South Florida, has obtained this information on the following Florida broker from FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions,” November 2021.
On September 21, 2021, Marceliano Macias (CRD #6997916, Sunrise, Florida) was issued an Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) in which Macias was assessed a deferred fine of $7,500 and suspended from association with any FINRA member in all capacities for three months by FINRA.
Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Marceliano Macias consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he allegedly engaged in an outside business activity (OBA) involving cryptocurrencies without providing prior notice, written or otherwise, to his member firm.
FINRA’s findings stated that Marceliano Macias allegedly participated in a business that conducted a cryptocurrency purchase and sales program. FINRA states that Macias provided capital to the business, which the business used to purchase
cryptocurrencies in Colombia. Macias and his partner then allegedly sold the cryptocurrencies on a U.S.-based exchange for a profit.
FINRA alleges that Marceliano Macias and his partner sent the proceeds from those sales to several bank accounts, which Macias established for the business’ use, and his partner then withdrew those funds in Colombia to make additional cryptocurrency purchases.
According to FINRA, Macias allegedly monitored the bank accounts to ensure that his partner had sufficient funds to repeat the purchase and sale process, which they repeated numerous times, each time generating profits.
FINRA stated that Macias received approximately $15,000 in compensation from his participation in the cryptocurrency business.
Marceliano Macias suspension is in effect from October 4, 2021, through January 3, 2022.
(FINRA Case #2020068784901)
According to FINRA’s BrokerCheck, available to the public on FINRA’s website, Marceliano Macias, has been in the securities industry for one year and is currently not registered.  He has four disclosures on his FINRA CRD report.  One of the disclosures is an, “Employment Separation After Allegations,” from Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. dated April 15, 2021.  Macias was discharged following the allegations, “FINRA issued both the firm and the representative 8210 letters in connection with an investigation conducted by FINRA. Upon review by the firm, the Representative acknowledged that he had participated in the purchasing and selling of cryptocurrency. The Representative did not seek or receive firm approval to engage in this activity.”
Macias was listed with the following firm:
01/27/2020 - 04/15/2021 TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL ADVISORS, INC - HOLLYWOOD, FL
If you’ve experienced financial losses due to the actions or recommendations of the former TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL ADVISORS, INC of Hollywood, Florida, broker Marceliano Macias, contact the South Florida-based Soreide Law Group and speak to an experienced securities lawyer at no cost regarding the possible recovery of your investment losses through a FINRA arbitration at:  888-760-6552.
Soreide Law Group works on a contingency fee basis, no fee to you if no recovery, and represents clients nationwide before FINRA.