Ilya Lichtenstein has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for money laundering related to the 2016 theft of over 119,000 Bitcoin from Bitfinex, concluding one of the largest cyber thefts in history. The U.S. Department of Justice, alongside multiple agencies including the FBI and IRS, conducted a seven-year investigation that led to the recovery of approximately $4.5 billion worth of stolen assets. Lichtenstein, exploiting vulnerabilities in Bitfinex's security, executed over 2,000 transactions to siphon Bitcoin into a personal wallet. He attempted to launder the stolen funds through various means, including darknet markets. His wife, Heather Morgan, is scheduled for sentencing soon. This case emphasizes the advancements in cryptocurrency crime investigations as authorities successfully traced assets despite obscuring attempts.

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