Bitfinex Hacker Freed Early, Credits Trump Reform Bill

Bitfinex hacker Ilya Lichtenstein has been released early from federal custody, crediting Donald Trump’s First Step Act for his transition to home confinement, as revealed in a social media update on Thursday.

Lichtenstein Credits Trump’s Prison Reform for Release

In a Thursday evening post on X, the convicted money launderer expressed gratitude toward the bipartisan prison reform legislation enacted during Trump’s first presidential term.

“I remain committed to making a positive impact in cybersecurity as soon as I can,” Lichtenstein stated. “To the supporters, thank you for everything. To the haters, I look forward to proving you wrong.”

From the Bitfinex Hack to Netflix Fame

The Department of Justice apprehended Lichtenstein alongside his wife, Heather Morgan, in 2022. During the operation, federal authorities recovered and seized $3.6 billion in stolen Bitcoin linked to the notorious Bitfinex security breach. The high-profile arrest catapulted the couple into mainstream pop culture, eventually inspiring the Netflix documentary “Biggest Heist Ever.”

After admitting to his direct involvement in orchestrating the cyberattack and subsequent laundering operations, Lichtenstein was officially sentenced to five years in prison.

Official Stance on the Sentence Reduction

While Lichtenstein attributed his freedom to the First Step Act, it remains uncertain if the Trump administration intervened directly in his case. An administration official told CNBC that the inmate had already served a substantial portion of his court-ordered sentence and was moved to home confinement in strict accordance with federal statutes and Bureau of Prisons regulations.