US Releases BTC-e Operator Alexander Vinnik in Prisoner Exchange with Russia

Alexander Vinnik, former operator of bitcoin exchange BTC-e, is being released from U.S. custody as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia. He is swapped for American teacher Marc Fogel.

Vinnik, 44, was arrested in Greece in 2017 and extradited to the U.S.
He pled guilty to money laundering conspiracy in 2024, facing up to 20 years in prison.
BTC-e operated from 2011 to 2017, servicing over 1 million customers and facilitating $9 billion in transactions.
U.S. prosecutors accused Vinnik of enabling cybercriminal activities, resulting in a loss of $121 million.
This exchange marks a breakthrough in negotiations between the U.S. and Russia.