Bitfinex hacker Ilya Lichtenstein credits Trump for early release from prison

Ilya Lichtenstein, who pleaded guilty to charges related to money laundering from the notorious Bitfinex cryptocurrency hack, has reportedly been released ahead of schedule. In a recent post on X, Lichtenstein expressed gratitude, attributing his early release to the First Step Act, a prison reform initiative implemented during Donald Trump’s presidency. "I remain committed to making a positive impact in cybersecurity as soon as I can," Lichtenstein stated. He also took a moment to thank his supporters while addressing his critics, saying, "To the haters, I look forward to proving you wrong." Lichtenstein and his wife, Heather Morgan, were arrested by the Department of Justice in 2022, following the seizure of approximately $3.6 billion in bitcoins linked to the Bitfinex breach. Their arrest gained significant media attention, leading to their portrayal in the Netflix documentary "Biggest Heist Ever." After admitting to his involvement in the hack, Lichtenstein was sentenced to five years in prison. However, the specifics of the role the Trump administration played in his release remain unclear. An official from the administration indicated to CNBC that Lichtenstein has served a considerable portion of his sentence and is currently under home confinement, in accordance with legal regulations and Bureau of Prisons policies.