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Ethereum Developer Released from Jail until Trial

LOS ANGELES, USA – Virgil Griffith, a research scientist, and Ethereum Foundation member, will be unconfined from jail before trial as per his acting defense attorney named Brian Klein.

Griffith was arrested last week after allegedly violating the law of the United States. He was involved in a blockchain meeting in North Korea. It was reported that he wanted to share his awareness of cryptocurrency.

According to an assistant lawyer named John Demers, he stated that they cautioned Griffith not to continue. However, despite their warnings, Griffith proceeded, which was a violation of the United States law. Moreover, they also believed that this research scientist trained users on how blockchain can be utilized with a perception of avoiding consents.

The Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency meeting in April was prepared in North Korea, or also known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Griffith allegedly requested for approval to join the conference, yet his request was denied. Afterward, he decided to go to the said event without consent.

Brandon M. Cavanaugh, a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI, filed the complaint against the said Ethereum staffer.

As per Cavanaugh, he mentioned how Griffith, along with some attendees, deliberated cryptocurrency technology and blockchain at the crypto conference in DPRK. Also, he said that Griffith explained how these two could be utilized by the country to launder currency, as well as dodge sanctions.

Griffith also shared how North Korea can use these tools to attain liberation from the international banking scheme. He unveiled documents and pictures from the event to the agent. Moreover, he mentioned that he would like to go back to the meeting, in case it happens in the year 2020.

As per Griffith’s LinkedIn page, it was stated that he was an employee from the Ethereum Foundation as a leader of special projects since October 2016. This company said that their unawareness about his situation.

According to Ethereum, the management confirmed that it was represented at the conferences. These meetings were defined in the filing of the Justice Department. Moreover, it didn’t approve or support any travel, especially Griffith’s personal one.

Griffith’s case was transferred to the Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit in the Southern District, along with support from the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

Griffith’s judge ruled that he should be freed, and the prosecutors were provided a seven-day stay for a petition.

Ethereum developers such as Vitalik Buterin shared their plan to organize a petition for the research scientist’s freedom. 

Ethereum Developer Released from Jail until Trial