Trump-Putin deal frees Russian crypto founder tied to $4 billion Bitcoin laundering
Key Takeaways
- Alexander Vinnik was part of a prisoner exchange between the US and Russia, with Marc Fogel returning to US custody.
- Vinnik pleaded guilty to laundering $4 billion through Bitcoin via BTC-e, facing various extraditions and legal charges.
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Alexander Vinnik, the operator of defunct crypto exchange BTC-e, has been released as part of a prisoner exchange between the US and Russia, with American teacher Marc Fogel returning to US custody.
Vinnik, who was arrested in Greece in 2017 at the request of US authorities, had recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in May 2024.
US prosecutors alleged he laundered $4 billion through Bitcoin via BTC-e during the exchange’s six-year operation.
BTC-e processed approximately $9 billion in transactions before Vinnik’s arrest. The platform faced allegations of facilitating money laundering and cybercrime while operating without compliance with US regulations.
The exchange follows Vinnik’s complex legal journey, which included his initial arrest in Greece, subsequent extradition to France, and later transfer to the US to face criminal charges.
Under his plea agreement, Vinnik had expected to receive a sentence of less than 10 years.
The prisoner swap continues a pattern of diplomatic exchanges between the US and Russia, following other high-profile cases.
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