Ethereum Researcher Virgil Griffith Moves to Halfway House Following Prison Release
Virgil Griffith, a notable Ethereum researcher, has transitioned from federal prison to a halfway house as part of his parole process.
Ethereum researcher Virgil Griffith has been released from federal prison and transferred to a halfway house, according to the Bureau of Prisons officials. As per Brantly Millegan, a crypto developer, Griffith is expected to reside in the halfway house for a few weeks while finalizing his parole process.
Griffith’s legal troubles began with his 2019 arrest after he presented at a blockchain conference in North Korea, which became a high-profile case involving a blockchain developer and U.S. authorities.
Griffith Arrested For Blockchain Lecture Allegedly Aiding North Korea Sanctions Evasion
Initially arrested for his lecture in Pyongyang, U.S. authorities claimed it provided technical information that might help North Korea evade sanctions. Griffith faced charges under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for disrupting economic interactions with foreign adversaries.
Despite his defense arguing that the information was publicly available, legal disputes led to a grand jury indictment in January 2020. After almost two years of legal struggles, Griffith accepted a plea deal in September 2021, admitting to violating U.S. sanctions laws. In April 2022, he was sentenced to 63 months in prison and fined $100,000. However, a sentence reduction was granted in July 2024, shortening his term to 56 months.
VIRGIL GRIFFITH IS OUT OF PRISON!!!
just released this morning! he'll be in a halfway house for a few weeks, and parole after that with work restrictions (so a pardon is still important), but HE IS OUT 馃檹馃檹馃檹馃檹馃檹馃檹馃檹馃檹 pic.twitter.com/Q4jRZmryGk
Inside North Korea鈥檚 Billion-Dollar Crypto Heists
North Korea continues to engage in state-sponsored cybercrimes, with reports indicating the Lazarus Group has stolen billions in digital assets to support its sanctioned economy and military endeavors. In February 2025, they allegedly stole $1.5 billion from the exchange Bybit, showcasing their advanced hacking tactics. The regime’s reliance on illicit activities has heightened concerns regarding the use of cryptocurrency for funding military capabilities.
Key Takeaways
- Virgil Griffith has transferred to a halfway house as part of his parole process.
- He was arrested in 2019 for giving a lecture in North Korea, violating U.S. sanctions.
- After a plea deal and sentence reduction, he is currently completing the final phase of his sentence.
