Samourai Wallet Developers Plead Guilty to Operating Unlicensed Money Business

Developers of the Bitcoin mixing service Samourai Wallet, Keonne Rodriguez and William "Bill" Lonergan Hill, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. This plea deal significantly reduced their potential prison sentences related to a privacy tool implicated in laundering over $100 million.

Initially charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed business
Plea deal removed the money-laundering charge, which could have led to 20 years imprisonment
They now face a maximum of five years for the lesser charge
Agreed to forfeit nearly $238 million, with $6.3 million due before sentencing in November
Rodriguez and Hill are under house arrest until sentencing

Their plea occurred amid the trial of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm, who faces similar charges. The jury is currently deliberating in Storm's case.