A former developer of the Ethereum Foundation, Virgil Griffith, has been released from custody. Griffith was sentenced to 63 months in prison in the United States in 2022 after he was accused of violating US sanctions. The US prosecutor claimed that he had given technical advice on how Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology can be used to avoid sanctions.
Early dismissal of the Ethereum developer
The Ethereum developer (ETH) was released from prison prematurely after serving for almost five years due to the violation of US sanctions in connection with North Korea. According to his lawyer Alexander Urbelis, he is now on the way to an open enforcement institution.
Urbelis, who is also the chief syndicus of Ethereum Name Service, published a photo on X on Wednesday that Griffith and his parents show his parents in front of the FCI Milan prison in Michigan. Griffith had served a large part of his prison sentence, which had now been reduced to 56 months.
I on so Pleased to Report that Virgil is out! Hey is heading home with his mother and father. Help me to welcome virgil back by leaving a note below.
Happy Day Indeed! pic.twitter.com/ixrd5hijcf
– Alexander Urbelis (@Aurbelis) April 9, 2025
Violation of US sanctions
Griffith was arrested in November 2019-seven months after his return from Pyongyang, where he had participated in a crypto conference. During the event he gave a presentation about Ethereum And explained how cryptocurrencies could be used to avoid international sanctions.
Although he initially advocated not guilty, Griffith 2021 owed himself guilty in a prime point of the conspiracy to break international sanctions. As already reported in 2022, the court in New York sentenced him to a fine of $ 100,000 and $ 63 months in prison.
Determination in 2024
On July 16, 2024, his punishment was reduced to 56 months because he had not previously appeared criminal. The responsible judge found that Although Griffith committed disciplinary violations in prison, the danger that he represents for the public was now lower.
Griffith’s lawyers repeatedly argued that his presentation only contained publicly accessible information. In addition, his academic interest was driven by academic interest rather than criminal intentions. A lawyer described Griffith’s behavior as an “unfortunate obsession with North Korea”.
No complete acquittal
Griffith remains under strict observation. He has to undergo a probation period for several years – the exact conditions are not yet known. In addition, the US Ministry of Trade has imposed extensive export restrictions that apply by 2032.
These prohibit Griffith any direct or indirect participation in transactions with software or technology that is exported from the USA. This makes a return to the crypto industry extremely difficult for him.
Griffith strives for a pardon by President Donald Trump. Trump had previously pardoned several people who had been convicted of crypto-related crimes-including Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht and the former Bitmex CEO Arthur Hayes.