Bitzlato Founder Files for Release Pending Verdict, Accepts Any Court Decision
Anatoly Legkodymov, the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange platform Bitzlato, has submitted a motion seeking release from custody pending the verdict. According to documents from the court reported by RAPSI, Legkodymov is requesting release under any conditions determined by the court, allowing him to reside with his spouse and three minor children until the verdict is delivered.
Request Details: The documents state that Legkodymov is “agreeable to any court decision that would enable him to spend time with his family.” The founder of Bitzlato expresses his readiness to accept any court ruling, which would facilitate his time with his family.
Guilty Plea and Platform Closure: In December, Legkodymov pleaded guilty to charges related to the transfer and laundering of criminal funds. As part of the plea agreement, he agreed to shut down the Bitzlato platform and waive any claims to approximately $23 million associated with the seized assets of the exchange.
Background: Legkodymov was arrested in Miami on January 17. The exchange’s operations were suspended the following day. Subsequent arrests included the former CEO, Mikhail Lunev, marketing manager Alexander Goncharenko, Monolithos DAO implementer Pavel Lerner, and the platform’s systems administrator.
Legal representatives later clarified that the arrested individuals were not part of the core team but rather contractors or consultants, with some having no involvement in the main activities of the company.
Europol Findings: According to Europol, the exchange converted assets linked to criminal activities amounting to approximately €1 billion ($1.08 billion). This included $700 million associated with the darknet marketplace Hydra and $15 million for operators of ransomware programs.
