Alexander Vinnik's fate is in the hands of Nikos Paraskevopoulos, Greek Minister of Justice.
A Greek court has accepted an extradition request from Russia concerning a Russian national imprisoned in Thessaloniki, according to Associated Press. Sounds simple, but the Greeks had already agreed to extradite him to France - and he was originally arrested on a international warrant issued by the US.
The prisoner and the charges
The prisoner is a 38-year-old computer programmer called Alexander Vinnik. The charges relate to his connection to a $4 billion money laundering operation and a cryptocurrency exchange called BTC-e.
BTC-e was a cryptocurrency exchange, operational between July 2011 and July 2017. It offered trading in the dollar, rouble and euro against a selection of Cryptocurrencies. By February 2015 it was handling an estimated 3% of the world's Bitcoin exchange volume, and as of July 2017 the exchange had received over $4 billion worth of Bitcoin.
According to the indictment of the US Attorney of the District of California dated July 2017, BTC-e facilitated criminal transactions worldwide, and Vinnik personally profited from these via the multiple accounts that he held at the business. It also alleges that Vinnik was the primary owner of the exchange's managing shell company, Canton Business Corporation.
Don Fort of the IRS criminal investigation said: “Mr. Vinnik is alleged to have committed and facilitated a wide range of crimes that go far beyond the lack of Regulation of the bitcoin exchange he operated. Through his actions, it is alleged that he stole identities, facilitated drug trafficking, and helped to launder criminal proceeds from syndicates around the world.”
In addition to these charges, the authorities claim that he was complicit in the theft of 630,000 bitcoins from Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Mt Gox in 2013. Specifically, that approximately 300,000 BTC was channelled through accounts associated with Vinnik.
If he ends up in the US, he faces up to 55 years in prison and a fine of $12 million. BTC-e itself is being charged $110 million.
Wanted by France, the US and Russia
On the 14th of July 2018, extradition to France was approved by the court. France requested this because around 100 French citizens were allegedly defrauded by Vinnik, but the defendant's lawyer confirmed that this would be but a stepping stone on a journey further west.
In response to this, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticised Greek authorities, accusing them of complicating relations between Greece and Russia. It said that as a Russian, Vinnik should be extradited to that country. Interestingly, in May 2018, Russian media reported that a plot to murder Vinnik was uncovered in Greece. Sputnik quoted a source saying that some people were "extremely interested in him not coming to Russia."
On his part, Vinnik claims that he was only a technical consultant for BTC-e. He denies all allegations and told judges "that he was committed to fighting U.S. dominance of the global financial system," according to Associated Press.
A Greek court has accepted an extradition request from Russia concerning a Russian national imprisoned in Thessaloniki, according to Associated Press. Sounds simple, but the Greeks had already agreed to extradite him to France - and he was originally arrested on a international warrant issued by the US.
The prisoner and the charges
The prisoner is a 38-year-old computer programmer called Alexander Vinnik. The charges relate to his connection to a $4 billion money laundering operation and a cryptocurrency exchange called BTC-e.
BTC-e was a cryptocurrency exchange, operational between July 2011 and July 2017. It offered trading in the dollar, rouble and euro against a selection of Cryptocurrencies. By February 2015 it was handling an estimated 3% of the world's Bitcoin exchange volume, and as of July 2017 the exchange had received over $4 billion worth of Bitcoin.
According to the indictment of the US Attorney of the District of California dated July 2017, BTC-e facilitated criminal transactions worldwide, and Vinnik personally profited from these via the multiple accounts that he held at the business. It also alleges that Vinnik was the primary owner of the exchange's managing shell company, Canton Business Corporation.
Don Fort of the IRS criminal investigation said: “Mr. Vinnik is alleged to have committed and facilitated a wide range of crimes that go far beyond the lack of Regulation of the bitcoin exchange he operated. Through his actions, it is alleged that he stole identities, facilitated drug trafficking, and helped to launder criminal proceeds from syndicates around the world.”
In addition to these charges, the authorities claim that he was complicit in the theft of 630,000 bitcoins from Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Mt Gox in 2013. Specifically, that approximately 300,000 BTC was channelled through accounts associated with Vinnik.
If he ends up in the US, he faces up to 55 years in prison and a fine of $12 million. BTC-e itself is being charged $110 million.
Wanted by France, the US and Russia
On the 14th of July 2018, extradition to France was approved by the court. France requested this because around 100 French citizens were allegedly defrauded by Vinnik, but the defendant's lawyer confirmed that this would be but a stepping stone on a journey further west.
In response to this, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticised Greek authorities, accusing them of complicating relations between Greece and Russia. It said that as a Russian, Vinnik should be extradited to that country. Interestingly, in May 2018, Russian media reported that a plot to murder Vinnik was uncovered in Greece. Sputnik quoted a source saying that some people were "extremely interested in him not coming to Russia."
On his part, Vinnik claims that he was only a technical consultant for BTC-e. He denies all allegations and told judges "that he was committed to fighting U.S. dominance of the global financial system," according to Associated Press.
Bitget's Bitcoin Reserve Ratio Soars Over 300% Following Halving
Network, Learn, Grow | FMAS:24
Network, Learn, Grow | FMAS:24
Get ready to mark your calendars for FMAS:24, returning this May! Take a quick glimpse of what awaits at the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, South Africa from May 20-22, 2024.
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Get ready to mark your calendars for FMAS:24, returning this May! Take a quick glimpse of what awaits at the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, South Africa from May 20-22, 2024.
Don't miss out on this 5-second invite packed with energy and urgency!
Secure your free ticket now 🔗 https://events.financemagnates.com/yQx0l?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=fmas-is-back&utm_medium=video&RefId=FMAS24+Video+Ad+%5B1%5D
#fmas24 #fmas #fmevents #financeinafrica #traders #investors #affiliates #forexTraders #investmentOpportunities #B2BNetworking #finTech #Innovations #TradingCommunity #BusinessOpportunities #AfricanBusiness #Johannesburg #southafrica
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
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Here's a sneak peek into the FMAS:24 vibrant atmosphere! Join us at Africa’s premium financial event for a transformative experience that combines the best of finance and technology.
From May 20-22, 2024, the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, South Africa, will be the hub for over 3,500 attendees to engage in unparalleled networking opportunities, learn from over 150 industry-leading speakers, and explore innovations from 120+ exhibitors.
Secure your free ticket now 🔗 https://events.financemagnates.com/yQx0l?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=fmas-is-back&utm_medium=video&RefId=FMAS24+Video+Ad+%5B1%5D
#fmas24 #fmas #fmevents #financeinafrica #traders #investors #affiliates #forexTraders #investmentOpportunities #B2BNetworking #finTech #Innovations #TradingCommunity #BusinessOpportunities #AfricanBusiness #Johannesburg #southafrica
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Don't miss out on our latest videos, interviews, and event coverage. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
Here's a sneak peek into the FMAS:24 vibrant atmosphere! Join us at Africa’s premium financial event for a transformative experience that combines the best of finance and technology.
From May 20-22, 2024, the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, South Africa, will be the hub for over 3,500 attendees to engage in unparalleled networking opportunities, learn from over 150 industry-leading speakers, and explore innovations from 120+ exhibitors.
Secure your free ticket now 🔗 https://events.financemagnates.com/yQx0l?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=fmas-is-back&utm_medium=video&RefId=FMAS24+Video+Ad+%5B1%5D
#fmas24 #fmas #fmevents #financeinafrica #traders #investors #affiliates #forexTraders #investmentOpportunities #B2BNetworking #finTech #Innovations #TradingCommunity #BusinessOpportunities #AfricanBusiness #Johannesburg #southafrica
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Join 3500+ Attendees at FMAS:24 | Africa's Premium Financial Event
Join 3500+ Attendees at FMAS:24 | Africa's Premium Financial Event
Looking to expand your network in #Africa? Join 3500+ attendees at FMAS:24, where online trading, fintech, payments, and crypto meet! Connect with industry leaders and innovators for an unmatched networking experience.
20-22 MAY 2024
Sandton Convention Center, Sandton, South Africa
Register now to secure your spot: https://bit.ly/3JbUpCK
#fmas #fmas24 #fmevents #networking #finance #africa
📣 Stay updated with the latest in finance and trading!
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Looking to expand your network in #Africa? Join 3500+ attendees at FMAS:24, where online trading, fintech, payments, and crypto meet! Connect with industry leaders and innovators for an unmatched networking experience.
20-22 MAY 2024
Sandton Convention Center, Sandton, South Africa
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#fmas #fmas24 #fmevents #networking #finance #africa
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Join 3500+ Attendees at FMAS:24 - Africa's Premium Financial Event
Join 3500+ Attendees at FMAS:24 - Africa's Premium Financial Event
Looking to expand your network in #Africa?
Join 3500+ attendees at FMAS:24, where online trading, fintech, payments, and crypto meet! Connect with industry leaders and innovators for an unmatched networking experience.
20-22 MAY 2024
Sandton Convention Center, Sandton, South Africa
Register now to secure your spot: https://bit.ly/3JbUpCK
#fmas #fmas24 #fmevents #networking #finance #africa
Looking to expand your network in #Africa?
Join 3500+ attendees at FMAS:24, where online trading, fintech, payments, and crypto meet! Connect with industry leaders and innovators for an unmatched networking experience.
20-22 MAY 2024
Sandton Convention Center, Sandton, South Africa
Register now to secure your spot: https://bit.ly/3JbUpCK
#fmas #fmas24 #fmevents #networking #finance #africa
Where the Prop Trading Industry Goes from Here | Finance Magnates Podcast
Where the Prop Trading Industry Goes from Here | Finance Magnates Podcast
Explore the tumultuous world of prop trading in this Finance Magnates podcast episode, featuring insights from Head of Axi Select, Greg Rubin.
We're discussing the challenges and shifts caused by MetaQuotes' pivotal decisions affecting MT4 and MT5 users, and how Axi Select offers a unique, realistic path to professional trading, steering clear of traditional prop firm pitfalls.
Tune in for expert analysis on the future of trading and innovative funding models.
The Axi Select programme is only available to clients of AxiTrader Limited. CFDs carry a high risk of investment loss. In our dealings with you, we will act as a principal counterparty to all of your positions. This content is not available for AU, NZ, EU and UK residents. For more information, refer to our Terms of Service. Standard trading fees apply.
This content is provided solely for general informational purposes and should not be construed as financial product advice or an investment recommendation. It has been prepared without considering your personal circumstances.
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Explore the tumultuous world of prop trading in this Finance Magnates podcast episode, featuring insights from Head of Axi Select, Greg Rubin.
We're discussing the challenges and shifts caused by MetaQuotes' pivotal decisions affecting MT4 and MT5 users, and how Axi Select offers a unique, realistic path to professional trading, steering clear of traditional prop firm pitfalls.
Tune in for expert analysis on the future of trading and innovative funding models.
The Axi Select programme is only available to clients of AxiTrader Limited. CFDs carry a high risk of investment loss. In our dealings with you, we will act as a principal counterparty to all of your positions. This content is not available for AU, NZ, EU and UK residents. For more information, refer to our Terms of Service. Standard trading fees apply.
This content is provided solely for general informational purposes and should not be construed as financial product advice or an investment recommendation. It has been prepared without considering your personal circumstances.
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