TechFlow news, January 3rd, according to financefeeds, the suspect Ilya Lichtenstein, who led the 2016 Bitfinex exchange Bitcoin hacking case, stealing and laundering nearly 120,000 BTC, was released early on January 2, 2026, ending his federal prison sentence ahead of schedule. He stated on social media that thanks to the provisions of the "First Step Act" (Federal Criminal Justice Reform Act) passed during the Trump era, which allows prisoners to be released early by participating in rehabilitation and qualification programs, he received a reduced sentence. Lichtenstein was originally sentenced to five years in prison (pleaded guilty in November 2024), but actually served only about 14 months. This case developed simultaneously with his wife and accomplice Heather "Razzlekhan" Morgan, who was sentenced to 18 months for assisting in money laundering and was also released early.
It is reported that the 2016 Bitfinex hacking case resulted in the theft of nearly 120,000 BTC, after which U.S. law enforcement agencies conducted long-term tracking investigations, recovering a large amount of funds and arresting the Lichtenstein couple.
