An investigator for the American cryptocurrency has admitted that it violated US law by attending a blockchain conference in North Korea in 2019, where it provided tips on how to deal with US sanctions.
Virgil Griffith, 38, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which prohibits the export of goods, technology or services to North Korea by a US citizen. He entered court in New York on Monday, where he is due to stand trial The Wall Street Journal reported.
Griffith is probably best known for his work as a research scientist and software developer Ethereum Foundation, a non-profit associated with the popular Ether cryptocurrency. He is also involved in a variety of business and educational activities, including the development of a “black search engine,” according to wake LinkedIn.
In April 2019, Griffith traveled to North Korea for the “Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference,” where he gave a demonstration of how blockchain and cryptocurrency technology can be used to tackle US sanctions and hide illegal money, according to criminal complaints since then. Griffith had “requested permission” from the US State department to attend the conference but the request was denied. He still went there, and went to the DPRK via China where it appears he is taking refuge “evidence of his travels.” He was arrested in Los Angeles later that year by the FBI.
Griffith’s policy is said to affect the management of corporate affairs between North and South Korea to avoid US sanctionss, Department of Justice they say.
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The U.S. has often sought to use economic pressure against North Korea as a punishment for its failure to denuclearize. Critics often is known Penalties may not work, while others recognize their potential for further the economic crisis in the country. However, Owrong say that GRiffith’s actions would have undermined the US approach to coercion the world.
“Virgil Griffith provided technical information to North Korea, recognizing that this could be used to help North Korea waste money and avoid sanctions,” said US lawyer Geoffrey S. Berman. at the time of arrest. “In doing so, Mr. Griffith disrupted the elections that Congress and the president set in order to overthrow the dangerous North Korean government.”
Griffith, who is due to be tried in January, could face up to 20 years in prison for the crime. His attorney, Brian Klein, He said Monday that the developer has “truly repented.”
“Apart from what happened, he has made significant contributions to the group that we are raising with the court,” Klein said. She also has some very good qualities, and no one should tell her about this. ”