They definitely had custody of the funds and felt obligated to try and launder it
It seems like the government needs to figure out if they were the only ones with custody, which is proving a negative with private keys, but the government seems to feel like it’s needs a greater proof of the actual heist of bitfinex so they can pin the rest on this couple.
Still reading though, this is just what I’ve parsed so far.
The IRS-CI agent had requested CFAA and Wire Fraud charges.
Ilya had trouble figuring out how to launder it
Still the outstanding question is whether he is the only one with the encrypted files, or if he was a service provider. not that its a real question to me, its something the government has to prove for stronger charges like the CFAA to be levied and stick.
inspirational in the direction of ideas on this case, and I know people that would trade a private key directly.
would help explain the amateurish laundering.
could be an interesting defense. could explain why they didn't run or do anything when their ISP notified them of the US government snooping back in November.