Anatoly Legkodymov, co-founder of the now-defunct crypto platform Bitzlato, is seeking a pardon from former US President Donald Trump. This isn’t just any pardon request; it’s a high-stakes gamble to avoid extradition to France.
The Bitzlato Case and the Pardon Request
Legkodymov, a Russian national, pleaded guilty to running an unlicensed money-transmitting business. After serving 18 months in a US prison, he was released in July 2024. However, the French government wants him extradited to face similar charges, potentially leading to a 20-year prison sentence.
According to a Russian media report, Legkodymov’s pardon request to Trump is a direct response to this looming extradition. His supporters claim he’s a victim of a political campaign targeting Russian programmers and the crypto market. They believe a pardon reflects a fairer approach to digital finance.
Trump’s History of Crypto Pardons
This isn’t the first time Trump has considered pardons for individuals in the crypto world. He previously pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, who faced a life sentence. Several other crypto figures, including executives from BitMEX and a potential pardon request from Sam Bankman-Fried (former FTX CEO), have also sought, or are seeking, presidential clemency. This suggests a pattern of Trump showing leniency towards those involved in the cryptocurrency industry.
A Strategic Move?
The request to Trump might be a strategic move, considering his history of issuing pardons. Whether it will be successful remains to be seen, but it highlights the increasing intersection of politics, law, and the cryptocurrency world.