former $BTC-e operator Alexander Vinnik has suggested customers of the notorious cryptocurrency alternate and its successor WEX to hunt the return of their funds to US authorities.
Property from each buying and selling platforms have been seized by america, based on a Russian crypto entrepreneur who returned residence beneath a prisoner alternate settlement with Washington.
$BTC-e’s Vinnik forwards buyer monetary claims to the US
Alexander Vinnik, as soon as the co-founder of the most important cryptocurrency alternate within the Russian-speaking cryptocurrency house, $BTC-e really helpful that prospects of the now defunct platform handle requests for the return of lacking funds to america.
The Russian programmer-turned-cryptocurrency businessman admitted that he has acquired many questions concerning the collapse of the alternate and the lack of prospects’ funds.
“We perceive that these are necessary and delicate points,” Vinik wrote in a Telegram submit on Wednesday, suggesting he make clear key features of the present state of affairs.
He then defined: $BTC-e famous that when it shuts down, a cryptocurrency alternate referred to as WEX will take over and consumer balances shall be transferred to the brand new platform and proceed to function.
Quoting Russian crypto information outlet Bits.media, Vinnik responded to what seemed to be a common inquiry by emphasizing:
“The funds will not be private property. All belongings have been seized by U.S. authorities as a part of a felony case.”
Discussing the potential for refunds, he pointed to ongoing litigation involving the U.S. authorities and steered authorized motion needs to be taken.
See additionally Dutch TV presenter exposes Bitcoin scammer
The lawsuit was filed within the U.S. District Courtroom for the District of Columbia on June 30, 2025, and considerations “all digital forex held in america.” $BTC-Operational Pockets” and different belongings as of July 25, 2017.
$BTC-e unending story
at the moment, $BTC-e was the most well-liked digital asset alternate with Russian-speaking crypto merchants. The corporate ceased operations in 2017 following US allegations that it was concerned in dealing with as much as $9 billion in illicit funds, together with cash stolen within the hack of Mt. Gox, one other infamous Bitcoin alternate.
$BTC-e co-founder Alexander Vinnik was arrested in Thessaloniki, Greece, whereas on trip along with his household that summer time.
The USA and the Russian Federation sought his extradition, however Greece determined to extradite him first to France, the place he was sentenced to 5 years in jail on the finish of 2020.
He was finally taken into U.S. custody in 2022 and pleaded responsible to cash laundering fees in 2024.
In February 2025, Vinik was launched by President Donald Trump’s administration beneath a prisoner alternate settlement with Moscow.
The latter additionally secured the liberty of Mark Vogel, an American schoolteacher who was arrested and convicted in Russia for drug trafficking.
Commenters take concern with Vinik’s recommendation.
DC lawsuit concerning $BTC-e Fund opens a brand new chapter within the lengthy saga of crypto alternate failures.
See additionally Elon Musk reiterates assist for DOGE
Within the fall of 2025, Russian media revealed that the U.S. Division of Justice (DOJ) was trying to grab the saved belongings. $BTC-e Pockets in case of collapse. Refers back to the identical submitting.
Russian investigative journalist Andrei Zakharov contributed his two cents to Mr. Vinnik’s submit, disputing his declare that all the alternate’s funds are held by the U.S. authorities.
He jogged my memory of one other co-founder, Alexei Vilyuchenko. $BTC-e, and WEX, which went offline in 2018, had beforehand testified in Russia that the remaining balances have been beneath his management.
Later, another person emphasised that WEX was not truly shut down because of direct U.S. intervention, however after it stopped withdrawals.
As quoted by Bits.media, an nameless commenter utilizing the deal with “Herry” famous that “the collapse appeared like an inner administration battle.”
In October, the now-blocked Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, suspected of getting ties to Russian safety forces, misplaced 6,500 folks. $BTC It had been transferred from a pockets associated to Vilyuchenko.
