After pleading guilty and serving 18 months, Anatoly Legkodymov, former CEO of Bitzlato, has officially requested a pardon from Donald Trump.
Arrest and Guilty Plea
Anatoly Legkodymov was indicted in January 2023 for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. He pleaded guilty in December and was sentenced to time served in July 2024 after 18 months in custody.
Pardon Request
Legkodymov's legal team has made an official request for a pardon from Trump following his guilty plea. Ivan Melnikov, vice president of the Russian Human Rights Committee, stated that Legkodymov’s decision stems from hope for a balanced approach by the US towards digital finance.
Challenges and Prospects
Legkodymov may face extradition to France for similar charges. It remains unclear if Trump has received the pardon request and how he will respond to it.
The case of Anatoly Legkodymov highlights the ongoing issues surrounding law enforcement in the cryptocurrency sector and potential political implications.