Roman Sterlingov, the creator of the cryptocurrency mixing service Bitcoin Fog, is facing legal consequences following a recent verdict by an American court. This decision marks another blow in the US government's efforts to combat illegal activities associated with cryptocurrencies.
Sterlingov's Conviction
At the age of 35, Sterling was found guilty of several criminal offenses, including money laundering and operating an unauthorized financial service. These charges come after extensive monitoring of his activities with Bitcoin Fog, a service that allegedly allowed criminals to conceal the origin of illegally obtained funds.
However, Sterlingov and his legal team are protesting this decision and plan to appeal. Attorney Tok Ekeland has already announced that they do not intend to accept the verdict without a fight.
Evidence against Sterlingov
Evidence presented in court indicates that Bitcoin Fog laundered money for a wide range of criminal activities. Over the course of ten years of operation, the service moved more than 1.2 million bitcoins with a total value exceeding $400 million. Most of these funds came from illegal sources, including drug markets and identity theft.
Reactions and Consequences
The judge's ruling clearly points to Sterlingov's involvement in laundering large sums of money through his service. Investigators and prosecutors emphasize their commitment to prosecuting individuals who attempt to use modern technology to conceal illegal activities.
Witnesses and experts, including JW Verreta, have spoken in favor of Sterlingov and questioned the forensic methods used. They are now preparing to support his appeal against the verdict.
Asset Seizure and Expected Sentence
As a result of the court's decision, a significant amount of assets associated with Bitcoin Fog, including bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies, has been seized. Sterlingov faces hefty penalties, with a maximum possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison for the most serious charges.
Future Steps and Further Cases
This case is not an isolated incident. Other figures associated with cryptocurrency mixers, such as Roman Storm from Tornado Cash, also have to answer to the court. These events highlight the growing pressure on operators and users of services focused on anonymizing transactions in the cryptocurrency world.
Notice:
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