Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith has officially been released from prison after serving a reduced sentence stemming from his controversial participation in a blockchain conference held in North Korea.
Griffith was arrested in 2019 and later pled guilty on a single charge of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) after he gave a presentation about Ethereum and cryptocurrency at a blockchain conference in North Korea.
Prosecutors argued that his presentation in Pyongyang provided technical information that could potentially aid North Korea in circumventing U.S. sanctions using blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. Photos from the conference also showed Griffith standing in front of a whiteboard with the words, "No sanctions!" written on it.
The developer also traveled to North Korea without permission from the U.S government. U.S Attorney Geoffrey S.Berman previously alleged in a letter that Griffith provided highly technical information to North Korea, knowing that this information could be used to help North Korea launder money and evade sanctions.
Griffith was initially sentenced to 63 months in federal prison, but his sentence was later reduced to 56 months, allowing for his early release this month at the age of 42.
The news of his release was confirmed by Alexander Urbelis, General Counsel at ENS Labs, who has been closely involved in the case.
Urbelis shared a photo of the developer's release on X (formerly Twitter), celebrating the special moment where Griffith reunited with his parents outside the facility.
“Happy day indeed! The days when I’m truly proud to be a lawyer are few and far between, but this is one of those days. To be a part of making this reunion happen is one of the highlights of my career.”
Urbelis further noted that Griffith had been “counting down the days to be reborn,” acknowledging the overwhelming nature of returning to a highly-stimulated outside world after years behind bars.
Despite his release, Griffith still faces significant legal and professional barriers. Former ENS Director of Operations Brantly Millegan pointed out that a presidential pardon remains crucial, as Griffith is now on parole and is subjected to stringent work restrictions.
Urbelis echoed this sentiment, stating:
“Onerous probation, aggressive export restrictions from the Department of Commerce, and issues of fundamental fairness persist.”
These limitations could indefinitely prohibit Griffith from working in the Web3 and crypto sectors, raising ongoing concerns within the Ethereum community and broader decentralized development space.
During the original trial, Griffith's legal team had argued that the material he presented at the Pyongyang conference was publicly available online and therefore protected under the First Amendment. However, the court did not accept that defense.
Griffith had traveled to Pyongyang in April 2019, against the advice of colleagues and peers in the crypto industry. At his sentencing, he admitted he had “genuinely, arrogantly, and erroneously thought he knew better,” acknowledging that attending the event was widely viewed as reckless.
He will now transition to a halfway house in Baltimore, marking the next phase of his reintegration.
Russia’s bid to lead in AI faces critical power shortages. A partial crypto mining ban has failed to meet energy demands, leaving its AI ambitions in jeopardy. Can these hurdles be overcome, or will its goals falter?
CatherineAI-generated content on LinkedIn has surged since the launch of ChatGPT, with over 54% of longer posts now likely AI-created. While these tools help users produce polished content quickly, they have sparked debates over authenticity, ethics, and the impact on professional writing.
WeatherlyAttack on Titan: Invasion brings the anime’s epic battles to life in The Sandbox metaverse, where players defend against Titans using strategy and skill. This free experience offers action-packed gameplay, with optional NFTs for fans seeking a deeper connection to the series.
WeatherlyThe FTC is investigating Microsoft's business practices across cloud services, AI, cybersecurity, and software licensing, focusing on potential anti-competitive behaviour. This comes amid rising pressure on tech giants as regulators examine their growing influence and market dominance.
AnaisWaseem Khan, a 22-year-old British crypto millionaire, was arrested in Dubai in September 2024 and charged with drug dealing and money laundering. After spending months in harsh prison conditions, he was released on bail but remains trapped in Dubai, awaiting trial and uncertain about his future.
AnaisCZ has expressed concerns about the growing dominance of meme coins, urging developers to focus on blockchain projects with real-world utility. The rise of these tokens, driven by hype and speculation, risks damaging the reputation of the broader crypto market.
AnaisVancouver is exploring using Bitcoin in its financial reserves to protect against economic instability and inflation. The city aims to position itself as a hub for digital asset businesses and attract tech talent.
WeatherlyA former Binance executive claims she was fired for exposing a bribery scheme, while Binance argues her dismissal was due to poor performance. The case raises questions about whistleblower protections and company ethics in high-pressure environments.
AnaisToei Animation has teamed up with Wemade to create DenDenGarden, a blockchain-based game featuring NFTs from the DenDekaDen series. The game aims to expand into global markets, including Japan, Southeast Asia, and North America, with hopes of tapping into the growing blockchain gaming trend.
WeatherlyHong Kong is proposing tax exemptions on profits from cryptocurrencies and other alternative assets to attract wealthy investors and boost its status as a global wealth management hub. The policy aims to expand exemptions to various investment funds, including family offices, pension funds, and private equity, while fostering blockchain innovation.
Anais