What’s Going On with Virgil Griffith?
Virgil Griffith, a researcher from the Ethereum Foundation, recently found himself in some serious hot water after being denied bail in New York. Can you believe it? The guy’s behind bars, and he’s appealing the decision. Talk about a complicated situation!
The Details of His Arrest
Here’s the scoop: Griffith got arrested on November 28. What was the reason, you ask? Well, he allegedly traveled to North Korea to share some, uh, ‘education’ on how to dodge those pesky sanctions through the wonders of blockchain and crypto. Sounds like something out of a spy movie! The U.S. Department of Justice isn’t laughing, though, as they claim it violates the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
What’s Next for Griffith?
According to James Margolin, the chief public information officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York, Griffith’s appeal is set to be heard before Judge Broderick on January 9. That’s right, folks – it looks like this saga isn’t ending anytime soon!
- Date of preliminary hearing: January 9
- Maximum jail time if convicted: 20 years
- Current status: Detained
Allegations That Make You Go Hmm
Griffith is facing some pretty serious accusations, including claims that he intentionally distanced himself from his American nationality. Allegedly, he sent text messages to his family indicating just that. It’s also been mentioned that he had plans for money laundering. I mean, it’s not exactly a great look, is it?
The Defense’s Take
Griffith’s lawyer, Buckley, has been in and out of the courtroom providing all sorts of details that seem to conflict. Apparently, Griffith has both rented and owned places in Puerto Rico, supposedly due to the growing cryptocurrency scene there. Seems like he’s living the life whilst juggling a court case!
What’s Next in the Crypto World?
On a lighter note, back in September, we chatted about North Korea’s desire to create its own national crypto asset. It begs the question: is this all just a part of a bigger crypto game, or is Griffith simply caught in a game he didn’t clearly understand? Whatever the case, he’s certainly providing quite the show.
