Bitfinex Hacker Ilya Lichtenstein Breaks Silence
Ilya Lichtenstein, known for the theft of 120,000 BTC from Bitfinex, has made his first public statement since pleading guilty last year. Previously sentenced to five years for money laundering, his partner Heather Morgan received 18 months.
On this page
Ilya Lichtenstein, arrested in 2022 for stealing 120,000 BTC from Bitfinex in 2016, admitted his guilt last year and has now spoken publicly for the first time. His X account featured a post titled “I have something to say” accompanied by a 5-minute video recorded from prison during a remote visit with his wife, Heather Morgan.
Lichtenstein was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to launder money, with time served during his pre-trial detention included in the sentence. His partner, Heather Morgan—also known as the rapper Razzlekhan—received an 18-month sentence.
Related: Razzlekhan’s Latest Jailhouse Rap: A Tribute to Love
In the video, Ilya Lichtenstein confirmed that he acted alone, denying theories from the Netflix documentary that suggested involvement from his father or intelligence agencies.
My dad is no hacker, he doesn’t even know how to use Instagram,
Lichtenstein stated.
The documentary he referenced, titled “Biggest Heist Ever,” was released on Netflix on December 6 and tells the story of the so-called “Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde,” a nickname given to Ilya and Heather by the crypto community.
In addition to recounting known facts, the documentary raises new questions about the hack, including potential national security concerns and alleged ties between Lichtenstein and Russia.
Lichtenstein also shared that over the past three years, he has been actively working to return all stolen assets as required by his plea agreement and promised to continue until all obligations are fulfilled.
In court, Lichtenstein previously expressed his desire to work in cybersecurity after his release. In his video statement, he reaffirmed this plan, emphasizing that he still has valuable knowledge about cyber threats and methods to combat them.
The content on The Coinomist is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content. Neither we accept liability for any errors or omissions in the information provided or for any financial losses incurred as a result of relying on this information. Actions based on this content are at your own risk. Always do your own research and consult a professional. See our Terms, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers for more details.
Articles by this author
