Former Ethereum Dev Virgil Griffith Sentenced to 63 Months for Siding North Korea

Seven months after pleading guilty, former Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith has been slammed with 63 months jail term for siding and helping the North Korean government evade US sanctions using cryptocurrency. In addition to that, Griffith was fined $100,000 by Judge Kevin Castel of the Southern District of New York.

Back in November 2019, Virgil Griffith traveled to North Korea, where he attended and spoke at a local cryptocurrency conference – Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference – despite warnings from peers. Reports held that Griffith’s speech at the conference was centered on how the North Korean government can evade sanctions using cryptocurrency.

Judge Castel: Virgil Griffith has no ideology. He'll play off both sides, as long as he is at the center. I sentence him to 63 months in prison and a fine of $100,000.

— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) April 12, 2022

Virgil Griffith’s Arrest in 2019

Griffith was formally indicted shortly after the conference. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate international sanctions against North Korea on September 2021, during the start of his trial. 

“Despite receiving warnings not to go, Griffith allegedly traveled to one of the United States’ foremost adversaries, North Korea, where he taught his audience how to use blockchain technology to evade sanctions. By this complaint, we begin the process of seeking justice for such conduct,” says assistant attorney general John Demers.

Griffith’s jail sentence could have been worse if not for the plea deal. An offense of that kind usually carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.