US Department of Justice Issues Statement on Bitfinex Hack That Stole Billions of Dollars of Bitcoin

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a new website to collect information and statements from those affected by the 2016 Bitfinex hack.

This initiative aims to reach potential victims, including Bitfinex account holders, who may have been harmed by the theft and subsequent money laundering scheme involving 120,000 stolen Bitcoins.

The Department of Justice encourages affected individuals to exercise their rights under the Crime Victims Rights Act (CVRA) and share how they were affected by the hack.

In 2016, hacker Ilya Lichtenstein infiltrated Bitfinex and stole a significant amount of Bitcoin. To conceal the source of the stolen funds, Lichtenstein used sophisticated laundering techniques involving cryptocurrency mixers, unregulated exchanges, darknet markets, and various bank accounts around the world. His wife, Heather Morgan, assisted in the elaborate laundering scheme until both were arrested in February 2022.

Lichtenstein and Morgan pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering and conspiracy in August 2023. Their sentencing is scheduled for November 14 and 15, 2024, in Washington, D.C., before Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. The Department of Justice created this outreach as part of its commitment to transparency and to ensure that all individuals affected by this attack have a chance to comment prior to sentencing.

*This is not investment advice.