Vinnik to Be ‘Hostage’ in US Amid Russia’s War in Ukraine, Greek Lawyer Says

If extradited to the United States, crypto exchange BTC-e’s alleged operator Alexander Vinnik will become a “hostage” due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to his Greek lawyer. France is likely to send the Russian back to Greece soon and Zoe Konstantopoulou is trying to prevent his subsequent transfer to U.S. custody. Alexander Vinnik’s … Read more

US Withdraws Request to Extradite BTC-e’s Vinnik From France, Lawyer Sees ‘Deceitful Maneuver’

U.S. authorities have withdrawn their request to extradite the alleged operator of crypto exchange BTC-e Alexander Vinnik from France, his French lawyer informed Russian media. Vinnik’s defense suspects, however, that the move is intended to actually speed up his extradition through Greece. Lawyer Says Washington Wants Vinnik to Remain in Prison The United States withdrew … Read more

Russia Considers Jail Time for People Helping Crypto Scammers Launder Proceeds

The interior ministry of Russia has decided to go after those providing money-laundering services to crypto fraudsters, suggesting they should go to prison. The department wants to introduce criminal liability for the activities of these people, also known as ‘droppers.’ Law Enforcement in Russia Targets Droppers Involved in Fraudulent Crypto Schemes The Ministry of Internal … Read more

Crypto Miner Convicted in Russia for Allegedly Stealing Power to Mint Digital Coins

A regional court has sentenced a man accused of illegally connecting his crypto farm to the grid to two years in prison. The decision comes as authorities in Moscow prepare to address the lack of proper regulations for cryptocurrency mining, which has become a popular source of income in Russia. Illegal Crypto Farm Burns 1.3 … Read more

Canada Detains Teen for Alleged $36 Million Cryptocurrency Theft

A teenager has been arrested in Canada after committing what law enforcement officials in Ontario have described as the largest crypto theft by a single person. The Canadian is accused of stealing tens of millions of dollars through a SIM swap targeting a crypto holder in the U.S. Teen Arrested in Canada for Stealing Crypto … Read more

Mining Hardware Thief Gets 3-Year Sentence in Russia

Russian authorities have investigated a number of cases involving the theft of crypto mining equipment in the past months. A resident of Yaroslavl has just been found guilty of stealing mining hardware worth over $20,000 and sentenced to three years in prison. Russian Convicted of Stealing Mining Rigs Receives Prison Sentence A 34-year-old man from … Read more

Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Stealing Nearly $7 Million of Crypto in Israel

Afek Zard, a resident of Israel, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for embezzling a large sum of cryptocurrency that belonged to a friend of his. The man, who refused to cooperate with the investigation, will have to pay a hefty fine as well. Israeli Resident Sentenced for Cryptocurrency Theft The 27-year-old Zard … Read more

French Court of Appeals Upholds Alexander Vinnik’s Sentence

A court of appeals in France has upheld the verdict in the case against BTC-e operator Alexander Vinnik. His lawyers vowed to continue the legal struggle against Vinnik’s return to Greece in order to avoid a likely extradition to the U.S. Court Confirms Vinnik’s 5-year Sentence for Money Laundering The Court of Appeals of Paris … Read more

France Rejects Russian Request to Extradite BTC-e Operator Alexander Vinnik

Judicial authorities in France have refused to grant the extradition request filed by Russia for Alexander Vinnik. According to the Russian Ombudsman, Vinnik is now ready to start a new hunger strike despite his health deteriorating after spending almost four years in detention. Court Case Against Vinnik Continues in France The operator of the infamous … Read more