Anatoly Legkodymov Seeks Presidential Pardon
Anatoly Legkodymov, a Russian national and the former head of the cryptocurrency platform Bitzlato, is seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. This move comes after he pleaded guilty in December 2023 to charges concerning the operation of an illegal money transmission business, for which he has already completed an 18-month prison sentence, having been held since January 2023. Reports from TASS, a Russian state news agency, indicate that Legkodymov’s legal representatives have formally submitted the pardon request.
Context of the Request
Legkodymov’s conviction and subsequent request for clemency highlight a broader context surrounding the regulatory landscape of the cryptocurrency industry. Ivan Melnikov, an official with the International Committee for Human Rights in Russia, voiced concerns that Legkodymov has become a scapegoat within a larger political narrative targeting both the cryptocurrency sector and skilled Russian developers. He expressed hope that Legkodymov’s appeal might encourage a more equitable view of digital finance within the United States.
Legal Challenges and Allegations
The U.S. indictment against Legkodymov maintains that under his leadership, Bitzlato played a significant role in moving illicit funds, allegedly facilitating hundreds of millions of dollars to the Hydra Marketplace on the dark web, along with connections to ransomware activity worth approximately $15 million.
Furthermore, Legkodymov may soon end up facing legal challenges in France, where authorities are said to pursue his extradition over similar allegations. Details regarding the acknowledgment or potential action by Trump on the pardon request remain undisclosed as Cointelegraph has not yet received a reply from the White House.
Trump’s History of Pardons
Since assuming office, Trump has granted at least 58 pardons, including to notable figures in the cryptocurrency community such as the infamous Silk Road operator Ross Ulbricht and several former executives from the cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX. Former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao also sought a pardon after his own guilty plea in a case with U.S. authorities last November. Additionally, Sam Bankman-Fried, the ex-CEO of FTX, is reportedly trying to secure a pardon through public outreach in conservative circles after receiving a lengthy prison sentence earlier this year.
