- Ilya Lichtenstein sentenced to 5 years for laundering $8 billion in stolen bitcoin.
- The stolen bitcoin is now worth over $8 billion, up from $71.8 million in 2016.
Ilya Lichtenstein, the hacker behind the 2016 Bitfinex exchange breach, has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts in history. Lichtenstein, 35, stole approximately 120,000 Bitcoin, valued at $71.8 million at the time. Today, those stolen funds are worth over $8 billion.
In 2016, Lichtenstein exploited vulnerabilities in Bitfinex’s system using advanced hacking tools. He authorized over 2,000 transactions that transferred 119,754 Bitcoins to a wallet under his control. To cover his tracks, Lichtenstein deleted crucial access logs and credentials from the exchange’s network, preventing law enforcement from detecting his actions.
Laundering Tactics Uncovered
Following the hack, Lichtenstein enlisted the help of his wife, Heather Morgan, to launder the stolen funds. Morgan, known by her online persona “Razzlekhan,” helped Lichtenstein carry out complex money laundering techniques. These methods included using fictitious identities to create online accounts, automating transactions, and converting bitcoin into other cryptocurrencies in a process known as “chain hopping.”
Additionally, Lichtenstein and Morgan deposited the stolen bitcoin into a variety of accounts on darknet markets and cryptocurrency exchanges. They used U.S.-based business accounts to legitimize their activities and even converted part of the funds into gold coins. Despite the complexity of these actions, authorities managed to trace the laundering network, eventually arresting the pair in February 2022.
In August 2023, both Lichtenstein and Morgan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. While Lichtenstein received a five-year sentence, Morgan is scheduled for sentencing on November 18, 2024. Prosecutors had recommended 18 months in prison for her role in laundering the funds.
Lichtenstein’s efforts to cover his tracks were described as the most complicated money laundering tactics seen by IRS agents. As of now, Bitfinex continues to cooperate with law enforcement to recover the stolen Bitcoin. The legal proceedings and sentencing will impact how authorities approach crypto-related crimes moving forward.
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