Overview
- U.S. District Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke ended the four-week trial Friday evening after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
- Jurors reported emotional strain, including tears and sleepless nights, after nearly three days of deliberations with little disagreement on facts but confusion over the law.
- Anton and James Peraire-Bueno were charged with wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering, with each count carrying a potential maximum of 20 years in prison.
- Prosecutors alleged the brothers exploited a vulnerability in MEV-boost used by Ethereum validators in a high-speed “bait-and-switch,” diverting $25 million in 12 seconds.
- Defense lawyers argued the bot-on-bot maneuver was a novel, lawful trading strategy consistent with the competitive dynamics of Ethereum markets, and prosecutors have not said if they will seek a retrial.