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Couple arrested in $4.5bn stolen cryptocurrency laundering scheme — Analysis

Billions in stolen cryptocurrency was found by US authorities in reference to a 2016 digital forex trade hack

A New York couple has been arrested and charged with cash laundering and making an attempt to defraud the US authorities, the Division of Justice introduced on Tuesday. 

Ilya Lichtenstein, 34, and his spouse, Heather Morgan, 31, have been arrested in New York, and authorities allege that the couple misled the federal government and establishments about stolen bitcoin of their possession, which they hid by way of refined cash laundering methods. 

Prosecutors say the couple would money out bitcoin and use it to buy NFTs, gold, and present playing cards. The cryptocurrency in query is allegedly linked to the theft of an estimated $4.5 billion throughout a 2016 hack of a digital forex trade, through which 1000’s of fraudulent exchanges came about. Authorities recovered roughly $3.6 billion in reference to the hack. The $4.5 billion is an estimation of the worth of the crypto right now. On the time of the hack, what was taken was valued at simply over $70 million. 

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The couple allegedly conspired to launder the proceeds from over 100,000 bitcoin, with some cash making it to monetary accounts managed by Lichtenstein and Morgan. 

Bitfinex, the corporate behind the hacked trade, beforehand provided as much as $400 million as a reward for main the corporate to these liable for the digital heist. 

Within the announcement in regards to the arrests, Deputy Legal professional Common Lisa Monaco mentioned that cryptocurrency wouldn’t present a “protected haven” for prison exercise.

“In a futile effort to take care of digital anonymity, the defendants laundered stolen funds by way of a labyrinth of cryptocurrency transactions. Because of the meticulous work of legislation enforcement, the division as soon as once more confirmed the way it can and can comply with the cash, irrespective of the shape it takes,” Monaco mentioned.

The couple is going through what might be 30 years behind bars, if convicted. 

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