Virgil Griffith, a once-imprisoned Ethereum developer, has recently been released and is now residing in a halfway house following a significant reduction of his sentence to 56 months. This sentence stemmed from Griffith’s attendance at a crypto conference in North Korea, where he allegedly violated U.S. sanctions.
Key details:
- Griffith was jailed for speaking at a conference in North Korea in 2019.
- He is now in pursuit of a pardon.
According to Alexander Urbelis, Griffith’s lawyer and general counsel for the Ethereum Name Service, Griffith was seen alongside his parents shortly after his release.
“I am so pleased to report that VIRGIL IS OUT!” Urbelis exclaimed, expressing joy at the development.
Griffith’s legal troubles began when he was arrested after returning from his trip to North Korea, where he discussed opportunities for leveraging Ethereum in the context of international sanctions. Initially facing heavy penalties, he ultimately pleaded guilty to a single conspiracy charge, leading to his imprisonment. The presiding judge imposed a fine and a shorter prison term than what could have been expected had Griffith opted for a trial.
Despite his release, Griffith’s troubles are not over. He will endure probation conditions and face export restrictions imposed by the Department of Commerce, which will complicate any efforts to re-engage with the crypto industry until 2032.
His current aim is to secure a pardon through the Trump administration, as he believes that the charges against him were unjustly motivated and fundamentally un-American. Griffith’s legal team is optimistic about making progress on this front.
“We are seeking a pardon to bring justice to a prosecution that we believe was wrongheaded and fundamentally un-American from the outset,” Urbelis stated, emphasizing the importance of allowing Griffith to contribute positively to society.
