Trump Pardons BitMEX Founders Amid Crypto Controversy

President Donald Trump has pardoned Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo, and Samuel Reed, the co-founders of the cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX. The trio had pleaded guilty in 2022 to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act for failing to implement anti-money laundering and know-your-customer protocols. As part of their plea agreements, each co-founder agreed to pay a $10 million fine and received probation sentences. The pardons come shortly after BitMEX itself agreed to pay $100 million to settle related allegations. Trump's decision to pardon the founders has been described as a vindication by Delo, who criticized the charges as stemming from outdated laws and political motives. The White House has not publicly commented on the pardons.