Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith has been released from jail early 

Virgil Griffith was granted an early release after nearly five-years in prison. He had violated U.S. Sanctions on North Korea.

Griffiths, 41 was arrested In 2019, following a controversial visit to North Korea where he made a presentation in Pyongyang at a conference on cryptocurrency. U.S. prosecutors claimed that his speech, entitled “Blockchain for Peace,” Explained how the country can use cryptography to avoid sanctions and laundering money.

Griffith plead guilty to conspiracy to violate International Emergency Economic Powers Act in 2021. was sentenced In 2022, a sentence of 63 months’ imprisonment and an additional $100,000 will be imposed.

Kevin Castel, U.S. district judge, ruled on July 16 reduced Griffith was sentenced to 56-months imprisonment, which became effective on August 2. The judge cited his absence of criminal record and hardships that he experienced while in prison. Although the judge recognized Griffith’s misconduct in prison, he noted that his threat to public safety has increased. “somewhat dissipated.”

Griffith’s ‘curiosity’

Griffith’s lawyers have long maintained that the information in his talk was public and that Griffith had more of an academic curiosity rather than criminal intention. One lawyer described The trip is the “culmination of Virgil’s unfortunate obsession with North Korea.”

The Ethereum community (ETHGriffith was a leader in early crypto-development and an important contributor to Ethereum Name Service. His case attracted attention both from national security circles and crypto advocates. 

Lazarus, a hacking group with North Korean links, has been released. continue to target Crypto firms have stolen billions of dollars in digital assets during the last decade.

Griffith, who is incarcerated in a federal jail in Michigan, is likely to be released soon after the order of August 2, takes effect.