Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Ilya Lichtenstein says the First Step Act, a law enacted during Donald Trump’s first presidency, helped him leave prison early. That is his public attribution—not proof that Trump personally intervened or that the law’s role in his specific case has been independently confirmed. TechCrunch reported on January 3, 2026, that an administration official described Lichtenstein as serving his sentence on home confinement under statute and Bureau of Prisons policies; the precise legal calculation was not identified.
What Lichtenstein said—and what officials confirmed
TechCrunch reported that Lichtenstein wrote on X that he was out early “thanks to President Trump’s First Step Act.” The quoted wording is Lichtenstein’s explanation, as reported by TechCrunch; it is not an official explanation of the decision.
TechCrunch also relayed a statement from an administration official to CNBC: Lichtenstein “has served significant time on his sentence and is currently on home confinement consistent with statute and Bureau of Prisons policies.” The report said it was unclear whether the Trump administration played a direct role.
The available reporting does not identify the specific statutory provision, sentence-credit calculation, or Bureau of Prisons decision that led to home confinement. It therefore does not establish that President Trump ordered or personally secured Lichtenstein’s move. Nor does it describe a pardon or commutation: the reported status is home confinement, not the end of his sentence or supervision. TechCrunch’s January 3, 2026 report is the source for these statements and attributions.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
What sentence he received
On November 14, 2024, Lichtenstein was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the Bitfinex hack. The sentence details come from the U.S. Department of Justice sentencing announcement.
Home confinement is not the same as completing a federal sentence. The administration official’s characterization, as reported by TechCrunch, indicates that Lichtenstein was still serving his sentence outside prison; his three years of supervised release were also part of the sentence imposed by the court.
What the First Step Act is—and what this case does not establish
The First Step Act is a federal criminal-justice law passed in 2018 during Trump’s first term. Lichtenstein credited it for his early move out of prison, but the sources reporting his status do not specify which law or Bureau of Prisons policy applied, how any eligibility was calculated, or whether the Act was decisive in his case. The law’s mention in his post should not be treated as confirmation of a particular mechanism or as a general rule about when other people can move to home confinement.
How the Bitfinex case reached sentencing
- August 2016: The DOJ says Lichtenstein hacked Bitfinex and transferred 119,754 bitcoin through more than 2,000 transactions.
- February 2022: Lichtenstein and his wife, Heather Morgan, were arrested. Investigators seized about 95,000 bitcoin from wallets they controlled. At the time of seizure, the DOJ valued those coins at approximately $3.6 billion; that is a historical valuation, not a current one.
- August 3, 2023: Lichtenstein and Morgan pleaded guilty. Lichtenstein pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- November 14, 2024: Lichtenstein received his prison sentence and supervised-release term.
- January 3, 2026: TechCrunch reported his claim that the First Step Act helped him leave prison early and an official’s description of his home-confinement status.
The transaction count, seizure, and plea details are from the DOJ’s August 3, 2023 announcement. The department also maintains a case page for United States v. Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Morgan.
Rank #3
What to take from the report
The established account is limited: Lichtenstein attributed his early move from prison to the First Step Act, and an administration official described him as on home confinement consistent with statute and Bureau of Prisons policies. The specific legal basis and calculation remain unstated in the reporting. For wider background on the case, TechCrunch noted that Lichtenstein and Morgan were featured in Netflix’s Biggest Heist Ever; the documentary is not evidence about how his home confinement was determined.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
