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Bitfinex Hacker Freed: Credits Trump's First Step Act
4 Jan
Summary
- Ilya Lichtenstein, convicted in the Bitfinex hack, has been released early.
- He attributes his early release to President Trump's First Step Act.
- Authorities previously seized $3.6 billion worth of stolen bitcoins.
Ilya Lichtenstein, a key figure in the massive Bitfinex cryptocurrency exchange hack, has apparently secured an early release from prison. Lichtenstein shared on X that his freedom was facilitated by President Trump's First Step Act, a significant piece of prison reform legislation enacted during Trump's presidency. He expressed a commitment to positively impacting cybersecurity in the future.
The Department of Justice apprehended Lichtenstein and his wife, Heather Morgan, in 2022. This arrest followed the recovery of an astonishing $3.6 billion in bitcoins that had been illicitly obtained from Bitfinex. The couple subsequently gained notoriety, even being featured in a Netflix documentary titled "Biggest Heist Ever."
Lichtenstein eventually admitted his involvement in the scheme and received a five-year prison sentence. While the exact role of the Trump administration in his early release remains unclear, an official indicated that Lichtenstein had served substantial time and was currently under home confinement, adhering to established Bureau of Prisons policies and statutory guidelines.
