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Anatoly Legkodymov, co-founder of embattled cryptocurrency platform Bitzlato, has formally requested presidential clemency from Donald Trump after serving 18 months in U.S. federal custody. The Russian national's legal team submitted the pardon petition following his 2023 guilty plea for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, according to Friday reports from state-owned TASS news agency.
Court documents reveal Bitzlato processed 【$15 million】 in ransomware proceeds and facilitated hundreds of millions in transactions for Hydra Marketplace before its 2022 shutdown. ——"This case represents the Justice Department's aggressive stance against crypto platforms flouting AML rules,"—— noted a former federal prosecutor speaking anonymously.
The Hong Kong-registered exchange came under international scrutiny when French and U.S. authorities jointly dismantled its operations in January 2023. Legkodymov's defense contends he became collateral damage in geopolitical tensions, with human rights advocate Ivan Melnikov calling the prosecution "disproportionate targeting of Russian tech talent."
The White House has granted 58 clemency petitions this year, including high-profile crypto cases. Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht walked free after 11 years, while four BitMEX executives had convictions overturned. Notably, former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao confirmed pursuing similar relief for his money laundering violation.
Legal analysts observe an emerging pattern where crypto figures leverage political connections post-conviction. ——"These pardon requests test the boundaries of executive clemency power,"—— remarked Georgetown law professor Julie Rose. The Justice Department maintains an online database tracking presidential pardons, though Bitzlato's petition remains unlisted as of publication.
French authorities reportedly seek extradition proceedings against Legkodymov, potentially complicating any U.S. pardon. The case highlights jurisdictional challenges in global crypto enforcement, with the defendant's legal team arguing the 18-month sentence already constitutes adequate punishment.
Cointelegraph's inquiry to the White House Office of the Pardon Attorney went unanswered Friday evening. Meanwhile, blockchain transparency advocates warn that leniency for exchange founders could undermine recent regulatory progress. 【Chainalysis data】 shows illicit crypto transactions dropped 39% last year amid strengthened compliance measures.