Ethereum Developer Virgil Griffith Released After Over Five Years’ Imprisonment

Virgil Griffith, a prominent Ethereum developer, has been released from prison after serving five years for violating US sanctions stemming from his 2019 visit to North Korea. While in Pyongyang, he gave a presentation about blockchain technology aimed at illustrating its potential for bypassing financial restrictions. The U.S. government argued that Griffith’s actions constituted aiding the isolated nation in circumventing sanctions using cryptocurrency. His case sparked debate amongst the crypto community regarding ethical boundaries and geopolitical implications of blockchain technology.