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Scrape Timestamp (UTC): 2026-01-02 20:31:57.125
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/02/bitfinex_crypto_thief_released/
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Bitfinex crypto thief who was serving five years thanks Trump for early release. Netflix documentary part 2 in the works?. Ilya Lichtenstein, who pleaded guilty to money-laundering charges tied to the 2016 theft of about 120,000 bitcoins from the Bitfinex exchange and was sentenced to five years in prison, has been released after roughly 14 months in the slammer. "Thanks to President Trump's First Step Act, I have been released from prison early," Lichtenstein said in a late Thursday post on X. "I remain committed to making a positive impact in cybersecurity as soon as I can," he continued. "To the supporters, thank you for everything. To the haters, I look forward to proving you wrong." Trump signed the prison-reform First Step Act into law during his first term in 2018. A White House official confirmed Lichtenstein's early release to The Register, noting that he served "significant time on his sentence" and has been placed on home confinement, "consistent with statute and Bureau of Prisons policies." In a subsequent Xeet and selfie, Lichtenstein's wife Heather Morgan (aka Razzlekhan), who also pleaded guilty to helping launder the stolen crypto and received an early release from her 18-month sentence, called her husband's release "the best New Years present I could get." The infamous duo were arrested in February 2022, and in August 2023 pleaded guilty to money-laundering charges related to the 2016 theft of some 120,000 bitcoins from Hong Kong-based Bitfinex. While Lichtenstein got five years behind bars for his crimes, Morgan received a lighter sentence and only spent about nine months in the clink, thanking "Papa Trump" in a bathtub video upon her early release. Netflix released a 2024 documentary about the Bitfinex burglars called Biggest Heist Ever.
Daily Brief Summary
Ilya Lichtenstein, convicted for laundering 120,000 stolen bitcoins from Bitfinex, was released early after serving 14 months of a five-year sentence.
His release was facilitated by the First Step Act, a prison reform law signed by President Trump, allowing for reduced sentences under certain conditions.
Lichtenstein expressed intentions to contribute positively to cybersecurity, indicating a shift in focus after his release.
His wife, Heather Morgan, also involved in the laundering scheme, served nine months of an 18-month sentence and celebrated her husband's early release.
The couple's high-profile case has drawn significant media attention, including a Netflix documentary detailing their criminal activities.
The early release decision aligns with Bureau of Prisons policies, emphasizing rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
The Bitfinex theft remains one of the largest cryptocurrency heists, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the digital currency sector.