US cryptocurrency expert jailed for helping North Korea evade sanctions

Image source, Reuters

A former US researcher has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for helping North Korea evade US sanctions.

The man pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate US law.

He used to work for the Ethereum Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on the technology behind thecryptocurrencies ether.

The minimum amount of prison time was sought by prosecutors.

He was fined $1 million. The maximum sentence for the man was 20 years in prison and a $1m fine.

His lawyer said in a statement that while the sentence was disappointing, the judge was aware of his commitment to moving forward with his life and that he is a talented person who has a lot to contribute.

US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement that justice has been done.

In September, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the US International Emergency Economic Powers Act by traveling to North Korea to give a presentation.

The US Department of State denied the permission for a person with a doctorate from the California Institute of Technology to travel to North Korea to speak at a conference.

The information could be used to evade sanctions imposed on North Korea by the US, prosecutors said.

The most important feature is that they are open. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea can't be kept out of the UN even if the USA says so, according to prosecutors.

In September, the US Department of Justice said that he had undermined the national security of the United States.

At the time of his arrest, the Ethereum Foundation said that it had not approved or supported his travel to North Korea.