Ilya Lichtenstein, the hacker behind one of the largest Bitcoin thefts in history, was released early despite previously being sentenced to 5 years in prison. This occurred thanks to the First Step Act criminal justice reform law signed into effect during former President Donald Trump’s first term. The law allows for sentence reductions through rehabilitation credits and recovery programs.
Lichtenstein was sentenced in November 2024 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to money laundering related to the 2016 Bitfinex exchange hack, which resulted in nearly 120,000 Bitcoin being stolen. On social media platform X, he stated that he would strive to make positive contributions to the cybersecurity field after being released.
His wife, Heather Morgan (, also involved in the case and previously sentenced to 18 months in prison for aiding in money laundering, was released early in October 2025. The case continues to attract attention amid signals from Trump considering some pardon applications related to cryptocurrencies.
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