Us release russian crypto fraudster – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Emma Roth
US to release Russian crypto criminal in prisoner exchange.

Alexander Vinnik co-founded BTC-e, a now-shuttered Bitcoin exchange that criminals used to launder funds from ransomware attacks, drug trafficking, and other crimes. Vinnik was arrested in 2017 and pleaded guilty to money laundering in 2024.

Now he’s set to return to Russia after President Trump agreed to release him in exchange for US teacher Marc Fogel, according to The New York Times.

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