They Stole Bitcoin at $600 and Walked Free When It Hit $90,000

Ilya Lichtenstein, who was convicted for his role in laundering Bitcoin stolen during the 2016 Bitfinex hack, has been released from prison earlier than expected. His release took place on January 2, 2026, several years before the completion of his original sentence.

Lichtenstein credited his early release to provisions under the First Step Act, a criminal justice reform law signed in 2018, which allows sentence reductions for inmates who participate in rehabilitation programs and demonstrate good conduct.

How the First Step Act Led to an Early Release

Lichtenstein was arrested in February 2022 alongside his wife, Heather Morgan, after US authorities traced nearly 120,000 BTC stolen from Bitfinex. At the time of the arrest, the stolen Bitcoin was valued at approximately $4.5 billion, making it one of the largest cryptocurrency seizures in US history.

In November 2024, Lichtenstein was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to money laundering conspiracy. However, according to his statement following release, his participation in rehabilitation and educational programs made him eligible for sentence reduction under the First Step Act.

From a Mid-Market Bitcoin Era to a Multi-Trillion-Dollar Asset

When the Bitfinex hack occurred in August 2016, Bitcoin was trading at roughly $600–$650 per coin. At those prices, the 120,000 BTC stolen during the breach were valued at approximately $72–$78 million, a substantial amount at the time but within a far smaller and less developed crypto market.

Nearly a decade later, Bitcoin trades at levels that fundamentally reshape the historical significance of the incident. With Bitcoin priced around $90,000 in early 2026, the same 120,000 BTC would now be worth approximately $10.8 billion, representing an increase of more than 140 times compared with its estimated value at the time of the hack.

Cooperation With Authorities Played a Role

Beyond rehabilitation efforts, Lichtenstein cooperated with US authorities during ongoing investigations. In 2024, he testified in the case involving the cryptocurrency mixer Bitcoin Fog. The operator of the service was later sentenced to 12.5 years in prison, a development prosecutors cited as a significant enforcement milestone.

Heather Morgan received a more lenient sentence of 18 months in prison and was released in October 2025 after serving approximately eight months. Following her arrest, she gained widespread attention on social media for her musical project under the pseudonym Razzlekhan, which became a viral internet phenomenon.

What the Case Signals for Crypto Enforcement

Lichtenstein’s release comes amid broader discussion about how the US justice system handles cryptocurrency-related crimes. In recent years, sentencing outcomes have increasingly reflected cooperation, restitution efforts, and rehabilitation rather than punishment alone.

Following his release, Lichtenstein stated that he plans to use his technical background in cybersecurity, marking a notable shift from one of the most high-profile crypto crime cases toward a potential role in digital security.

The case underscores how enforcement strategies and sentencing frameworks in the crypto sector continue to evolve as authorities balance deterrence, recovery of assets, and long-term reintegration.