2026-01-02 13:35:39

The new development in the 2016 Bitfinex hacker case that shocked the crypto world has emerged. Hacker Ilya Lichtenstein has been released early due to his involvement in a rehabilitation program. What is the reason behind this? It turns out that the First Step Act signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 is playing a role — this law provides inmates with the opportunity to reduce their sentences through participation in rehabilitation programs.

Regarding the scale of this case, it is indeed shocking. Lichtenstein was charged with assisting in money laundering of nearly 120,000 bitcoins. At the time of the incident, these bitcoins were worth approximately $4.5 billion. In November 2024, he was sentenced to 5 years in prison. But now, thanks to the sentence reduction policy, he has been released early.

This case reflects the complexity of cryptocurrency security — even at the exchange level, hacking incidents involving cross-border money laundering often take years to pursue and prosecute. It also serves as a reminder to market participants of the importance of compliance and risk prevention.

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DaisyUnicorn

· 8h ago

120,000 BTC... This guy is so skilled at money laundering that he was released after a reduced sentence. Is the legislation really that effective?

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NFTBlackHole

· 8h ago

Wait, if hackers modify it, they can get early release? Who would buy that logic? 120,000 BTC, brother, how much is that... and they just casually reduce the sentence like that? The crypto world is chaotic; a single incident at an exchange and it's over. Trump's bill is really outrageous; what kind of modification plan can justify the crime of stolen coins? Reflect carefully on the trading gains; the security is indeed concerning.

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GasFeeBeggar

· 8h ago

12万BTC就这么放出来了？笑死，这是在搞笑吗 --- Wait, can reform projects reduce sentences? Then my friends should try joining a project too --- A case worth 4.5 billion USD, serving a few years and out... The crypto world is really deep --- So, the defense of exchanges is as flimsy as paper. What does this case tell us? Don’t store anything there --- Trump’s bill is really powerful, anyone can get a sentence reduction --- Hackers can be released early, I still have to work hard and pay taxes, this world is ridiculous --- 12 million Bitcoins, how much is it worth now... Feeling a bit tempted --- Cross-border money laundering is so complicated, no wonder the case took so long --- How many years have we been talking about compliance risk prevention, and some still don’t listen --- Looks like serving time in the US has a certain flavor

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ChainDetective

· 8h ago

How can it only be a 5-year sentence? 120,000 Bitcoins just released on command? --- This guy is incredibly lucky. Trump's legislation actually reduced his sentence. --- Wait, it's already out? The security in the crypto world is really complicated. --- A major case worth 4.5 billion USD, released early—ridiculous. --- Compliance risk prevention? Who in the crypto world cares, haha. --- Hackers can still get early release by modifying projects—I'm convinced by this logic. --- One sentence summary: With money and lawyers, you can't sit in prison forever.

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ForkMaster

· 8h ago

120,000 Bitcoins just washed out like that, compliance risk control is really a damn joke

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MidnightSeller

· 9h ago

120,000 Bitcoins have been washed out just like that. Once the bill is signed, they will be released directly. How can we prevent compliance risks?

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MerkleMaid

· 9h ago

Did this guy really make a profit? Washing 120,000 BTC and still getting a reduced sentence to walk free—it's unbelievable. Wait, can a rehabilitation program really reduce a sentence? Should I also go serve two years and then come out? 4.5 billion USD—just thinking about it is crazy... Bitcoin is now even more valuable. Honestly, this just tells us that we need to take care of our own money; exchanges are not secure. Hackers can turn their lives around, and we're still trembling in fear as retail investors.

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