Ilya Lichtenstein, who hacked crypto alternate Bitfinex
and stole practically 120,000 Bitcoin, stated he has been free of jail early. Lichtenstein
stated he was being launched due to the First Step Act, the bipartisan
prison-reform legislation signed by President Donald Trump.
Lichtenstein’s spouse, Heather Morgan, who additionally pleaded
responsible as a part of the bitcoin laundering scheme, celebrated her husband’s
obvious launch.
Because of President Trump’s First Step Act, I’ve been launched from jail early. I stay dedicated to creating a optimistic influence in cybersecurity as quickly as I can.To the supporters, thanks for every thing.To the haters, I look ahead to proving you unsuitable.
— Ilya Lichtenstein (@cipherstein) January 2, 2026
The Russian-U.S. nationwide who hacked crypto alternate
Bitfinex and stole practically 120,000 bitcoin stated he has been free of jail
early due to the bipartisan prison-reform legislation signed by President Donald
Trump.
Early Exit After 2024 Sentencing
Lichtenstein, 38, had been sentenced in November
2024 to 5 years in jail after pleading responsible to a cash laundering
conspiracy cost and admitting to the hack of crypto property now valued within the
billions of {dollars}.
However late Thursday evening, a submit on Lichtenstein’s
official X account declared, “Because of President Trump’s First Step Act, I
have been launched from jail early.”
“I stay dedicated to creating a optimistic influence in
cybersecurity as quickly as I can,” Lichtenstein’s submit stated. “To the supporters, thanks for every thing. To the
haters, I look ahead to proving you unsuitable.”
In line with CNBC, a Trump administration official
advised the publication that Lichtenstein “has served important time on his
sentence and is at present on dwelling confinement in line with statute and
Bureau of Prisons insurance policies.”
Trump Legislation on the Middle
Lichtenstein’s spouse, Heather Morgan — who additionally pleaded
responsible to serving to launder the stolen funds — shared Lichtenstein’s message on
her personal X account, saying, “One of the best New Years current I might get was lastly
having my husband dwelling after 4 years of being aside.”
Morgan’s tweet, posted two minutes after
Lichtenstein’s, included a photograph of the couple smiling for a selfie. Lichtenstein’s sentence included credit score for time he
already served in custody following his arrest in 2022, greater than 5 years
after Bitfinex was hacked.
As of Friday morning, a seek for Lichtenstein’s title
utilizing the federal authorities’s inmate locator web site returned one outcome
displaying Lichtenstein is scheduled to be launched on Feb. 9.
This text was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.