Virgil Griffith, a former Ethereum developer who worked on the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), was released from prison on probation and moved to a house in half a route.
Updates, which were published on X on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, announced that Griffith now begins his return to civilian life after serving some of his prison terms for violating US sanctions.
The prison company of the Ethereum developer confirmed by sources was confirmed
Brantless Milegan, Managing Director of Ethereum Identity Foundation, broke the news with a photo of Griffith and his parents outside of prison. Alexander Urbelis, Ens General Counsel and part of Griffith’s legal team, confirmed his release from FCI Milan to Michigan.
Virgil Griffith is not in prison !!!
I’m released this morning! He will be in a house in half a house for a few weeks and will then be subject to probation (so a pardon is still important), but it is outside 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/q4jrzmrygk
– Brantly.eth (@brantmillegan) April 9, 2025
Griffith was arrested in November 2019 after talking to a cryptocurrency conference in North Korea. The public prosecutor stated that his presentation made information available that could help North Korea to withdraw sanctions and money laundering.
From 63 months to 56: The sentence trip
In 2022, Griffith was sentenced to 63 months in prison and sentenced a fine of $ 100,000 after he was guilty of the international emergency management law. In July 2024, the US district judge Kevin Castel lowered his prison sentence to 56 months and quoted him as the first offender.
ETHUSD trading at $1,598 on the daily chart: TradingView.com
Crypto Return provides serious hurdles
Griffith itself begins a multi -year trial period. His lawyers are fighting to switch from half a house home, but return to regular life is hindered.
The Ministry of Commerce put on serious export restrictions for Virgil, which will extend by 2032, explained Urbelis. These limits could block his return to the cryptocurrency field.
Pardon of the President under Trump Administration
Before Griffith came to Ethereum, he has a Ph.D. By CalTech and created wikiscanner, a tool that follows anonymous Wikipedia changes. He also worked with Aaron Swartz near Tor2web.
According to Urbelis, Griffith is looking for a forgiveness of US President Donald Trump. Trump previously granted other grace in crypto -related cases, including Ross Ulbricht and Arthur Hayes.
The case has triggered a debate about the exchange of open source information compared to sanctioned nations. The co -founder of Ethereum Vitalik Buterin supported Griffith and even signed a petition in which his release was requested in 2023.
Exhibited picture of the law firm ThiessenDiagram of Tradingview
Editorial process Because Bitcoinist focuses on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate and impartial content. We comply with strict procurement standards and each page is diligently checked by our team of top technology experts and experienced editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance and the value of our content for our readers.