Confessed Bitfinex Hacker Ilya Lichtenstein Speaks Out

Ilya Lichtenstein, confessing to the 2016 Bitfinex heist, insists that neither his wife, Heather Morgan, nor his father, Eugene Lichtenstein, were involved.

Lichtenstein, serving a five-year sentence, stated in a five-minute video recorded from prison that he acted alone. He took full responsibility, saying, "I planned and executed the Bitfinex heist entirely by myself. And I am the one who bears full responsibility for everything that has happened."

He labeled claims of his father's involvement as "completely false and frankly absurd," referencing their allegations in the documentary "Biggest Heist Ever."

Heather Morgan, known as rapper Razzlekhan, reposted Lichtenstein's video, supporting his stance on the unauthorized documentary's spurious allegations. While Lichtenstein acknowledged Morgan pleaded guilty to laundering bitcoin, he emphasized her lack of knowledge about the crime, which occurred two years after their meeting in San Francisco. Morgan is set to serve 18 months for conspiracy to commit money laundering and fraud.

Lichtenstein admitted, "It’s true. I hacked Bitfinex. I stole and laundered thousands of bitcoin. And I am so sorry for everything." He expressed regret for the stress caused to Bitfinex, admitting he made many bad decisions and considers Morgan another victim of his actions.

Acknowledging his past, he stated, "I look back now at the person I was then and I hate myself. I can’t change the past but I can and will do everything I can to make amends."

For years, Lichtenstein has assisted the government in recovering the stolen assets, now worth about $12 billion, with a restitution process expected to return over $10 billion by early next year.

Lichtenstein aims to transition from hacking to cybersecurity, claiming he possesses skills beneficial for combating cyber threats. He has already supported the government in a case against crypto mixer Bitcoin Fog operator Roman Sterlingov, leading to Sterlingov's conviction.

As the largest seizure of stolen assets in U.S. history, the confiscation of Bitfinex coins totals approximately $4 billion. Lichtenstein and Morgan's sentencing was delayed due to their cooperation with authorities. "I know the cyber threats that we face and I know how to stop them," he asserted.