Shocking Request: Bitzlato Co-Founder Seeks Trump Pardon After Guilty Plea
In a notable development in the world of cryptocurrency and law, the Bitzlato co-founder, Anatoly Legkodymov, has reportedly sought a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. This request comes after Legkodymov pleaded guilty to federal charges in the United States.
Anatoly Legkodymov’s Plea and Sentence
Anatoly Legkodymov, a Russian national and former CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange Bitzlato, reportedly made a formal request for a federal pardon from US President Donald Trump. This follows his guilty plea in 2023 to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
Legkodymov was initially indicted in January 2023. He entered his guilty plea in December of the same year. In July 2024, he was sentenced to time served, having spent approximately 18 months in custody prior to his sentencing.
According to reports from Russian state media, Legkodymov’s legal team submitted the official request to Trump. A representative quoted in the report suggested Legkodymov became a target in a political campaign and hopes for a more balanced US approach to digital finance.
Why Seek a Trump Pardon?
The decision to request a Trump pardon highlights a potential avenue sought by individuals in the crypto sector facing US legal issues. While the reasons behind Legkodymov’s specific request are not fully detailed beyond the general hope for a shift in US policy towards digital finance, presidential pardons can offer clemency for federal offenses.
It remains uncertain whether Donald Trump has received the pardon request from Legkodymov or if he will consider acting upon it. The White House had not commented on the matter at the time of the initial report.
Allegations Against the Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business
The charges against Legkodymov stemmed from his role at Bitzlato, which authorities alleged facilitated the transmission of illicit funds. The indictment claimed that hundreds of millions of dollars moved from Bitzlato to the dark web market Hydra Marketplace. Furthermore, the exchange reportedly received around $15 million linked to ransomware attacks.
Operating an unlicensed money transmitting business is a serious charge in the US, aimed at preventing financial platforms from being used for illegal activities without proper regulatory oversight.
Context: Other Crypto Pardons and Requests
Anatoly Legkodymov’s request is not the only instance of figures from the crypto industry seeking or receiving pardons from Donald Trump. Since leaving office, Trump has issued numerous pardons, some involving individuals connected to the blockchain and crypto space.
Notable examples of crypto pardons or clemency granted by Trump include:
- Ross Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road.
- Four former executives of the BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange: Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo, Gregory Dwyer, and Samuel Reed.
Furthermore, other high-profile figures have reportedly sought pardons:
- Former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao stated in May that he had applied for a pardon from Trump after pleading guilty to a felony charge and serving a four-month sentence.
- Reports have also suggested that former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, sentenced to 25 years, was attempting to secure a federal pardon.
These instances underscore the intersection of legal challenges in the crypto industry and the potential for executive clemency.
Summary
The report that Bitzlato co-founder Anatoly Legkodymov has requested a Trump pardon adds another layer to the ongoing legal narratives surrounding prominent figures in the cryptocurrency space. Having pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and served his sentence, Legkodymov’s team is now seeking clemency from the former US President. This request is set against the backdrop of other individuals linked to the crypto industry who have either received crypto pardons or reportedly sought them. The outcome of Legkodymov’s request remains uncertain, highlighting the unpredictable nature of executive actions in high-profile cases.
