After serving just over a year of his five-year sentence, Ilya Lichtenstein, the notorious hacker behind the 2016 Bitfinex breach, has been released from prison. His early release was facilitated by the First Step Act, a criminal justice reform law enacted during Donald Trump's presidency.
In a post on social media, Lichtenstein expressed gratitude for the law, stating, “Thanks to President Trump's First Step Act, I have been released from prison early.” He aims to contribute positively to the field of cybersecurity moving forward.
Initially sentenced in November 2024 for his role in a money laundering conspiracy involving nearly 120,000 Bitcoin theft, Lichtenstein was arrested in 2022 alongside his wife, Heather Morgan, who also faced charges related to the laundering of the stolen funds. Morgan, known as “Razzlekhan,” had been sentenced to 18 months and announced her own early release last October.
Their case has gained notoriety, inspiring a Netflix docuseries and a forthcoming film. Following his release, Lichtenstein emphasized his desire to take full responsibility for the crime, aiming to distance his wife from the incident.