Trump-Putin deal frees Russian crypto founder tied to $4 billion Bitcoin laundering

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Vinnik’s case highlights the intersection of digital sources and global diplomatic negotiations.

Alexander Vinnik, the operator of defunct crypto switch BTC-e, has been launched as phase of a prisoner switch between the US and Russia, with American teacher Marc Fogel returning to US custody.

Vinnik, who used to be arrested in Greece in 2017 at the question of US authorities, had currently pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit cash laundering in Might perhaps 2024.

US prosecutors alleged he laundered $4 billion via Bitcoin by technique of BTC-e all the diagram via the switch’s six-twelve months operation.

BTC-e processed roughly $9 billion in transactions earlier to Vinnik’s arrest. The platform faced allegations of facilitating cash laundering and cybercrime while working without compliance with US guidelines.

The switch follows Vinnik’s complicated factual drag, which included his preliminary arrest in Greece, subsequent extradition to France, and later switch to the US to face prison charges.

Under his plea agreement, Vinnik had expected to get a sentence of lower than 10 years.

The prisoner swap continues a pattern of diplomatic exchanges between the US and Russia, following diverse excessive-profile cases.