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In 2016, Ilya Lichtenstein stole 120,000 Bitcoin 
$104,324 from the Bitfinex exchange. After pleading guilty last year, he publicly addressed the incident for the first time since his arrest in 2022.
Admission and Acceptance of Responsibility
In a five-minute video uploaded to X platform, Lichtenstein admitted to carrying out the attack alone. This statement contradicted speculations from a Netflix documentary suggesting his father’s involvement.
“I acted alone, and I was aware of my mistake. I sincerely apologize for the stress I caused Bitfinex,” – Lichtenstein.
Lichtenstein expressed his intention to work in the cybersecurity field after serving his time. He emphasized a better understanding of cyber threats and a commitment to combating them.
Allegations Against His Wife
Lichtenstein’s wife, Heather Morgan, also known as “Razzlekhan,” accepted charges of money laundering involving Bitcoin. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with the value of Bitcoin having significantly increased since 2016.
Furthermore, Lichtenstein claimed that all funds related to the theft had been returned to the appropriate accounts. Contrary to the Netflix documentary, he stated that no stolen funds remained unrecovered. A hearing regarding the repayment process for the Bitfinex theft will take place in February, determining whether the funds will be returned to Bitfinex or its users. Exchange officials argue that they compensated investor losses through tokens issued at the time; thus, the Bitcoin technically belongs to them. However, claims about LEO Coin being fully reclaimed by the exchange after BTC reimbursements could lead to price fluctuations in February.
Finally, it was noted that other cryptocurrency exchanges have faced similar attacks recently, highlighting the importance of security measures. Ilya Lichtenstein apologized to the public and stated that he learned from his mistakes.
For those seeking information about Bitcoin theft, it is crucial to learn protective measures and choose reliable exchanges.
