Virgil Griffith’s Return: Ethereum Developer Released from Prison
Virgil Griffith, a former developer associated with the Ethereum blockchain and the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), has recently been released from incarceration. He has now transitioned to a halfway house as part of his reintegration into society.
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Updates shared on social media platform X on April 9, 2025, revealed that Griffith is now embarking on his return to everyday life. He had been serving time for breaching U.S. sanctions.
Confirmation of Ethereum Developer’s Release
Brantly Milegan, who serves as the executive director of the Ethereum Identity Foundation, first shared the news of Griffith’s release. A photo depicted Griffith with his parents outside the correctional facility. Alexander Urbelis, general counsel for ENS and a member of Griffith’s legal team, confirmed his departure from FCI Milan located in Michigan.
Details of the Legal Journey: Sentence Reduction
Griffith faced legal issues after attending a cryptocurrency conference in North Korea in November 2019. Authorities argued that his presentation could assist North Korea in bypassing sanctions and engaging in money laundering activities.
Initially sentenced to 63 months following a guilty plea under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Griffith’s sentence was reduced to 56 months in July 2024 by US District Judge Kevin Castel. This reduction was attributed to Griffith’s status as a first-time offender.
Challenges Ahead: Reintegrating into the Crypto World
Griffith’s release marks the beginning of a probation period spanning several years. His attorneys are making efforts to transition him from the halfway house to home confinement. However, his reentry into the cryptocurrency sector faces substantial obstacles.
The Department of Commerce has imposed stringent export restrictions on Griffith, which will remain in place until 2032. These restrictions could impede his ability to resume work in the cryptocurrency industry.
Potential for Presidential Pardon
Before his involvement with Ethereum, Griffith attained a Ph.D. from Caltech and developed WikiScanner, a tool to trace anonymous edits on Wikipedia. He also collaborated with Aaron Swartz on the Tor2web project.
There is ongoing discussion about Griffith seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Trump has previously granted clemency to individuals involved in cryptocurrency-related cases, including Ross Ulbricht and Arthur Hayes.
This case has sparked a broader debate regarding the dissemination of open-source information versus aiding sanctioned countries. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly supported Griffith, even endorsing a petition for his release back in 2023.
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