Ilya Lichtenstein Early Release 2026: Bitfinex Hacker Credits Trump's First Step Act

Sentenced to five years, but out in just one. Ilya Lichtenstein, the hacker behind the multi-billion dollar Bitfinex heist, is officially a free man. According to a post on his X account, Lichtenstein confirmed his early release on January 2, 2026, sparking intense debate across the crypto and legal sectors.

Ilya Lichtenstein Early Release and the First Step Act

Lichtenstein didn't mince words when attributing his freedom. He explicitly thanked Donald Trump, stating that the First Step Act—a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill signed by the former president—was the catalyst for his early departure from prison. "I remain committed to making a positive impact in cybersecurity as soon as I can," he noted in his public statement.

The hacker's original sentence followed his November 2024 conviction for the 2016 Bitfinex breach, where he and his wife, Heather Morgan, laundered over 119,000 Bitcoin. At the time of the government's major seizure, the assets were valued at a staggering $4.5 billion, marking it as one of the largest financial recoveries in U.S. history.

A Controversial New Chapter

The release has drawn sharp criticism from those who believe the scale of his crime warrants the full five-year term. However, the First Step Act allows for sentence reductions based on earned time credits and rehabilitation programs. Lichtenstein has addressed his "haters" directly, claiming he looks forward to proving his worth through legitimate security work.