Cyber-Kraken Vinnik Frei: Exchange-length fuel hopes for peace!

Cyber-Kraken Vinnik Frei: Exchange-length fuel hopes for peace!

Nordkalifornien, USA - On February 13, 2025, Alexander Vinnik, a prominent Russian cyber criminal boss, was released from a US prison. This happened in connection with the release of the American teacher Marc Fogel, who had served a 14-year punishment after his detention in Russia for drug trafficking, including medical marijuana. Vinnik, who was imprisoned in Northern California, is now waiting for his return to Russia. However, he had to go to the US government more than $ 100 million beforehand.

Vinnik was arrested in Greece for money laundering in 2017 and was extradited to the USA in 2022. In May 2024, he was guilty of having washed around $ 4 billion out of criminal activities via his cryptocurrency exchange BTC-E. This platform is said to have been involved in transactions worldwide over $ 9 billion, with Vinnik being responsible for losses of more than $ 120 million.

The exchange as a sign of good will

The release of Vinnik was confirmed by Kremllagers Dmitry Peskov, who explained that the exchange of prisoners could improve trust between Washington and Moscow. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz called Fogel's release a sign of the good will of Russia and emphasized the efforts of both sides to strengthen diplomatic relationships. Fogel, who returned the USA on Tuesday, celebrated his freedom in the White House in the presence of Donald Trump.

Trump and Putin had a telephone conversation in which they agreed to take negotiations on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. These developments are part of a diplomatic attempt to defuse the tense relationship between the United States and Russia, while the war continues in Ukraine.

cryptocurrency fraud as a context