Missing ex-crypto exchange executive stands trial in the US

Alexander Vinnik, a suspect in the creation of the BTC-e crypto exchange and money laundering, appeared in a federal court in San Francisco for the first time.

Russian Alexander Vinnik, whom the US authorities suspect of money laundering, has appeared in court in California. This was reported by the US Department of Justice. The Russian’s case was heard by Magistrate Judge Sally Kim.

The indictment states that Vinnik and the cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e, which, according to Washington, was created by the Russian, are accused of operating a business without a license, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and engaging in illegal money transactions. According to Cointelegraph, he faces up to 55 years in prison in the United States.

Vinnik was detained in Greece in 2017 at the request of the United States. In 2020, he was extradited to France. In August of this year, the Russian was sent back to Greece for further extradition to the United States. The day before, Vinnik’s family said that he was taken from there by private plane to Boston, from where he was taken to San Francisco.