Overview
- Lichtenstein said on X that he was freed early under the First Step Act, with a U.S. official confirming he is now on home confinement consistent with Bureau of Prisons policy.
- He pleaded guilty to a money‑laundering conspiracy tied to the 2016 Bitfinex breach of 119,754 BTC and received a five‑year sentence in November 2024.
- Custody records and reporting indicate he served roughly 14 months before the transfer, with an inmate locator showing a formal release date of Feb. 9.
- Prosecutors credited cooperation in other cases, including testimony that aided the conviction of Bitcoin Fog operator Roman Sterlingov, as a factor in his reduced time.
- Authorities recovered about 94,000 BTC from the hack with prosecutors moving in early 2025 to return the coins to Bitfinex, while Heather Morgan received an 18‑month sentence and was released early last year.