Ilya Lichtenstein, a computer expert, received a five-year prison sentence for stealing about 120,000 bitcoins from the Hong Kong-based exchange Bitfinex in 2016.
He and his wife, Heather Morgan, engaged in a long scheme to launder the stolen funds.
Federal prosecutors described Lichtenstein as the mastermind behind one of the largest thefts in the world of virtual currency.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly noted that his actions were “meticulously planned” rather than impulsive.
She emphasized the importance of sending a clear message: you can’t commit these crimes without facing consequences.
Lichtenstein has been in custody since his arrest in February 2022. He will get credit for the two years and nine months he has already served.
He expressed regret over his actions, saying he wasted his talents on crime instead of contributing positively to society.
Looking ahead, Lichtenstein hopes to use his skills to fight cybercrime when he gets out of prison.