The man behind the notorious hacking of the Bitfinex crypto exchange that stole billions of dollars worth of digital coins could spend the next five years in a state penitentiary once the verdict against him is made in November.
Because of his role in the heist, state attorneys urged the federal court in Washington to impose a heavier punishment against Ilya Lichtenstein.
Lichtenstein, The Brains Behind The Heist
Estimates suggested that around $8 billion worth of Bitcoin from the Bitfinex crypto exchange were stolen. This well-planned illegal activity underscored the unique risks associated with cryptocurrency, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity in this emerging field.
The hacking incident was a turning point that prompted players in the cryptocurrency market to talk about security measures, regulatory scrutiny, and the future of exchanges.
If Lichtenstein is slapped with a five-year sentence, it would be a crucial step in resolving the cybercrime issues affecting the crypto space right now.
Further, the case’s resolution might as well have an impact beyond the courtroom. It could emphasize the role of accountability in the cryptocurrency landscape in dissuading people from similar illegal activities in the future.
The Hacking Incident
In August 2016, well-known cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex announced that its platform had been breached leading to the loss of billions of dollars worth of user’s Bitcoin.
Reports state that Lichtenstein used a flaw in the exchange’s technology to get into Bitfinex traders’ wallets together with his associates.
From thousands of Bitfinex users, Lichtenstein, his wife and another accomplice, effectively pilfered around 120,000 Bitcoin.
Given Bitfinex is among the major participants in the virtual asset market, the degree of the hacking caused shockwaves across the digital currency scene.
After the incident was announced, Bitcoin’s value dropped noticeably. The whole crypto space felt uncomfortable since it begged the question of whether commercial websites have sufficient security mechanisms in place.
Lichtenstein Pleaded Guilty In 2023
Last year, Lichtenstein admitted his involvement in the 2016 crypto heist in Bitfinex. According to investigators, they have found a blockchain trail that leads to Lichtenstein’s wallet, raising suspicion of his involvement in the crime.
It took state prosecutors and law enforcers six years before they discovered the stolen money. They found that most of the money was still in Lichtenstein’s wallet.
Seven years had passed since the crypto heist before Lichtenstein pleaded guilty of being the mastermind of the 2016 cyberattack on Bitfinex. Lichtenstein and his wife are still awaiting their sentence for the crime they have committed.
Consequences Of The Crime
The Bitfinex breach elevated the stakes in the cryptocurrency space and led to heightened regulatory attention from international governments.
Following the hack, calls for more precise restrictions arose as regulatory organizations started to focus more intently on the security and operating procedures of cryptocurrency exchanges.
Featured image from signature-vegetale.com, chart from TradingView