Virgil Griffith, a former Ethereum developer known for his work on the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), is out of prison! He was released on parole and is currently at a halfway house.
Freedom After Sanctions Violation
The news broke on April 9, 2025, via a tweet showing Griffith with his parents. He’d been serving time for violating US sanctions against North Korea.
Griffith’s release was confirmed by Brantly Millegan of the Ethereum Identity Foundation and Alexander Urbelis, part of Griffith’s legal team.
The North Korea Conference and the Sentence
Griffith’s troubles began in November 2019 after giving a presentation at a cryptocurrency conference in North Korea. Prosecutors argued this presentation helped North Korea avoid sanctions and launder money.
Initially sentenced to 63 months in prison and a $100,000 fine, his sentence was later reduced to 56 months in July 2024.
A Difficult Road Back
While Griffith is free, his return to normal life won’t be easy. He faces several years of probation and strict export restrictions until 2032, potentially hindering his work in the cryptocurrency industry. His legal team is working to get him transferred from the halfway house to home confinement.
Pardon Hopes and Wider Debate
Griffith’s team is pursuing a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, who has pardoned others in crypto-related cases.
The whole situation has sparked a debate about the balance between sharing open-source information and aiding sanctioned countries. Even Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, supported Griffith and signed a petition for his release.
Griffith’s story highlights the complex intersection of technology, international relations, and the legal consequences of actions in the cryptocurrency world.
