Alexander Vinnik, the former operator of bitcoin exchange BTC-e, is being released from U.S. custody in a prisoner exchange with Russia. Vinnik was accused of operating BTC-e to facilitate illicit activities and causing the loss of $121 million. He was arrested in Greece in 2017 and pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy in 2024. BTC-e was a popular exchange that facilitated over $9 billion worth of transactions between 2011 and 2017. Vinnik's release comes as part of a surprise breakthrough negotiated with the Kremlin, and American teacher Marc Fogel is being swapped in exchange.



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