Do you think prosecution of Samurai devs will continue?

[alani123]

It's obvious the crypto lobby has gotten very strong and current US politics are helping big crypto companies in many ways.

Many prosecutions against crypto companies were droped. But Samurai devs still seem to be under prosecution. They even plead guilty recently:
https://www.dlnews.com/articles/regulation/samurai-wallet-devs-plead-guilty-to-money-transmitting/

So it seems like the Trump admin has no interest in "freedom" tied to crypto?

[zasad@]

It's obvious the crypto lobby has gotten very strong and current US politics are helping big crypto companies in many ways.

Many prosecutions against crypto companies were droped. But Samurai devs still seem to be under prosecution. They even plead guilty recently:
https://www.dlnews.com/articles/regulation/samurai-wallet-devs-plead-guilty-to-money-transmitting/

So it seems like the Trump admin has no interest in "freedom" tied to crypto?

What do you call freedom? In America, the issue of non-custodial storage and the ability to accept cryptocurrency without licensed payment agents has still not been resolved.
On the one hand, the crypto industry is developing, but on the other, it's even more strictly regulated than banking.

[Pro Ads]

So it seems like the Trump admin has no interest in "freedom" tied to crypto?

The DOJ continues to target developers deemed to be knowingly aiding the flow of "criminal funds". So, this is more about legal red lines than any government's pro/anti-crypto stance.

[hugeblack]

We haven't seen any new cases since the beginning of the Trump administration. Many prosecutions have been resolved, so this period is better than the Biden administration in terms of tightening regulations.
As for Samurai Devs, they are likely trying to obtain information from them related to money laundering.

[Z-tight]

So it seems like the Trump admin has no interest in "freedom" tied to crypto?

Trump isn't going to just wipe the slate clean on all prosecutions, things do not work like that. Trump is the POTUS, and not some sort of crypto freedom fighter, however, his administration is much better for crypto than that of the past administration.

I understand why Samourai wallet devs had to cut a plea deal with the prosecution and change their plea from not guilty to guilty. The deal was 'fair', pleading guilty struck out the money laundering charge, which has a maximum sentence of 20 years. They pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and the maximum sentence for that is just 5 years. So i can understand their thinking: plead guilty, forfeit millions and just spend a few years in prison, rather than pushing on with the case and probably losing and then spend a longer time in prison.

[yhiaali3]

I understand why Samourai wallet devs had to cut a plea deal with the prosecution and change their plea from not guilty to guilty. The deal was 'fair', pleading guilty struck out the money laundering charge, which has a maximum sentence of 20 years. They pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and the maximum sentence for that is just 5 years. So i can understand their thinking: plead guilty, forfeit millions and just spend a few years in prison, rather than pushing on with the case and probably losing and then spend a longer time in prison.

This is sound logic. It's better for them to close the case with minimal losses than to continue being pursued and lose the case with much greater losses. Therefore, as the saying goes, it's "the lesser of two evils."

A guilty plea would get them the lesser of two punishments, and they might not serve the full sentence. After serving time, they could petition for clemency, or they might be able to strike a secret deal with Trump for early release in exchange for a hefty fine.

[zasad@]

Key Dates:
Trial Date: November 3, 2025
Sentencing Date: November 7, 2025
Both developers will face a maximum prison sentence of five years, along with fines and asset forfeiture requirements related to their guilty pleas.

We'll be monitoring the court's decision. By the time the trial begins, they'll already have about a year and a half of house arrest. If the court takes this into account, their sentence will be reduced.

[Z-tight]

A guilty plea would get them the lesser of two punishments, and they might not serve the full sentence. After serving time, they could petition for clemency, or they might be able to strike a secret deal with Trump for early release in exchange for a hefty fine.

It is possible. However, since the maximum sentence for their so-called 'offence' is five years, after striking this plea deal and forfeiting millions to the government, to be specific with the amount, $237,832,360.55, i don't think there is a chance they are going to get the maximum sentencing. I predict they will be sentenced to 2 years in prison, but we would find out soon enough.

[zasad@]

A guilty plea would get them the lesser of two punishments, and they might not serve the full sentence. After serving time, they could petition for clemency, or they might be able to strike a secret deal with Trump for early release in exchange for a hefty fine.

It is possible. However, since the maximum sentence for their so-called 'offence' is five years, after striking this plea deal and forfeiting millions to the government, to be specific with the amount, $237,832,360.55, i don't think there is a chance they are going to get the maximum sentencing. I predict they will be sentenced to 2 years in prison, but we would find out soon enough.

If the punishment is 2 years, then they will already be free next year. I also think that the maximum sentence will be 2-4 years, of which 1.5 years will be counted as time spent under house arrest.

[bbc.reporter]

It's obvious the crypto lobby has gotten very strong and current US politics are helping big crypto companies in many ways.

Many prosecutions against crypto companies were droped. But Samurai devs still seem to be under prosecution. They even plead guilty recently:
https://www.dlnews.com/articles/regulation/samurai-wallet-devs-plead-guilty-to-money-transmitting/

So it seems like the Trump admin has no interest in "freedom" tied to crypto?

This is old news already that has been discussed and argued in this thread.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5494139.0

You should follow the case of Roman Storm of Tornado Cash. There might be more prosecutions on him.

Also, they have pleaded guilty and have negotiated and made a deal with the American government, why are you implying that they are still being under prosecution?

The rumors presently are Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill are working with the government to assist them.