The United States is releasing Russian cryptocurrency kingpin Alexander Vinnik as part of an exchange deal that saw Moscow complimentary United States instructor Marc Fogel a day earlier, a White House authorities said Wednesday.The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, responded yes when asked if United States authorities had actually released or would be launching Vinnik in exchange for Fogel.Earlier on Wednesday, the Kremlin confirmed the 2 sides had agreed to the release of Fogel and one Russian person, who is held in detention in the United States, but did not determine him.Vinnik pled guilty in May 2024 to conspiracy to dedicate money laundering related to his role in operating the cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e from 2011 to 2017, according to the United States Justice Department.United States President Donald Trumps government has hailed the detainee exchange as a positive indication for diplomacy in between the 2 countries and for possible negotiations over an end to the Ukraine war.
President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the Presidents consultants negotiated an exchange that works as a show of excellent faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right instructions to end the harsh and dreadful war in Ukraine, United States National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said in a statement.On Wednesday, United States Middle East envoy Witkoff hailed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans (MBS) important function in securing Fogels release.
He has a very strong relationship with President Trump, he said of the 39-year-old de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia.
Behind the scenes he was motivating and pushing and searching for the right outcome.
On the Russian side, Witkoff said a guy he named only as Kirill also played an crucial function.
Theres a gentleman from Russia, his name is Kirill, and he had a lot to do with this.
He was very important, he was a crucial interlocutor bridging the 2 sides, said the US envoy, offering no more information on the mans identity.Vinnik was extradited to the United States from Greece in August 2022, hours after he had been launched from a French jail.He was the operator of BTC-e, among the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchanges that processed more than $9 billion in transactions, according to United States court documents.United States authorities state the exchange was among the main ways by which cyber lawbreakers all over the world moved, washed, and kept the criminal earnings of their prohibited activities.