Former Ethereum Developer Virgil Griffith Released from Prison, Pursues Pardon
Virgil Griffith, a former Ethereum developer, has been released from prison and is transitioning to a halfway house after serving part of his 56-month sentence for attending a crypto conference in North Korea. Key points include:
- Griffith was arrested in November 2019 for teaching North Koreans how to evade sanctions using cryptocurrency.
- He initially pleaded not guilty but later accepted a plea deal in 2021, resulting in a $100,000 fine and a reduced sentence.
- Griffith faced a possible 20-year sentence but received a lesser term due to being a first-time offender.
- His legal team aims to move him from the halfway house in Baltimore to home confinement soon.
- Griffith faces long-term consequences, including probation and severe export restrictions from the Department of Commerce until 2032, complicating his return to the crypto industry.
- He is pursuing a pardon from the Trump administration, citing a belief that his prosecution was unjust.
Griffith's situation highlights ongoing challenges for individuals with criminal convictions in the cryptocurrency space, as many seek pardons amid evolving regulations.