Bitfinex Bitcoin thief released early, 120,000 Bitcoins money laundering case ushers in a new turn

2026-01-02 14:48:10

【ChainNews】The 2016 Bitfinex Bitcoin theft that shook the crypto world has new developments. Hacker Ilya Lichtenstein has been released early due to participation in a reform program. The reason behind this is the First Step Act signed by U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018, which provides inmates with the opportunity for sentence reduction through rehabilitation.

The full story is as follows: Lichtenstein was sentenced to 5 years in prison in November 2024 for assisting in money laundering involving nearly 120,000 Bitcoins (worth approximately $4.5 billion at the time of the incident). His wife Heather Morgan (online alias Razzlekhan) was sentenced to 18 months for co-participation in the crime and was released in October 2025.

This case was once one of the largest thefts in cryptocurrency history, but now it has taken a turn due to the existence of a reformative law. Many are discussing how to view the impact of judicial sentence reduction policies on major economic crime cases.

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CountdownToBroke

· 01-05 13:45

120,000 Bitcoins have been washed out just like that, it's really incredible... This bill is way too lenient.

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DeFiGrayling

· 01-05 13:45

Buddy, this logic is really absurd. After washing 120,000 Bitcoins, can he still get early release? Why is this law so lenient? --- No... this guy just needs a makeover to get a reduced sentence? Why do I feel it's a bit unbelievable? --- Wait, his wife has already been released, and he's still inside? This couple's story is quite ironic. --- A major case worth 4.5 billion USD just ended so hastily? The crypto world really can have anything happen. --- So now hackers can also escape prison if they are well-modified? I really can't accept this logic. --- Razzlekhan has been released, and this guy still has to serve time. Seems like there's a story there. --- Hold on, how much is 120,000 Bitcoins worth now... How good must this guy's memory be to wash out exactly that amount? --- Is US law this flexible? Participating in modifications can reduce sentences, so do all inmates in prison get released early? --- Wait, how are they laundering money? With just this little info, how am I supposed to imagine it?

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WenMoon

· 01-05 11:22

Did this guy really wash 120,000 Bitcoins and just come out like that? My goodness Wait, his wife has come out too? This script is a bit outrageous So just by modifying it, he can get a reduced sentence? Then this law must be very lenient 4.5 billion USD, and it's just been whitewashed like that, truly impressive I still haven't forgotten the online alias Razzlekhan, the top hacker couple in the crypto world If this happened in China, they would have been gone long ago. The US laws are really... 120,000 Bitcoins, how much is that worth now? I can't even imagine Did these two escape a disaster? It feels too surreal Wow, money laundering can even be done through modifications, this move is incredible I really want to know what this guy is doing now, and does he still have any coins

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ImpermanentTherapist

· 01-02 15:17

Did this guy just need some modifications to get out? Really? A money laundering case involving 120,000 Bitcoins wrapped up so easily?

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ExpectationFarmer

· 01-02 15:14

How is it so easy to release... Trump's reform bill really has some substance --- 120,000 Bitcoins, this guy made a huge profit, only served a short time --- Something's off, it feels like this bill was played out clearly --- Even the wife is out, these two are truly legends in the crypto world --- A $4.5 billion case, just reformed and reformed, it's ridiculous --- So is Bitcoin still in their hands now? That's the real question --- The First Step Act is truly awesome, now I understand why it was signed --- Laugh out loud, washing 120,000 Bitcoins and still getting reduced sentences through "reform," I really can't understand this logic --- The couple both went to jail and can both be released early, this case is handled like a joke --- The biggest theft case in the crypto world has now become an inspirational story, truly incredible

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