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Fortune

Catherine McGrath

Who is Alexander Vinnik, the Bitcoin criminal Trump freed in a prisoner exchange with Russia?

Alexander Vinnik Donald Trump Bitcoin United States Russia Prison Marc Fogel Justice Department

(Credit: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto—Getty Images)

Perhaps, the most dramatic way President Trump has expressed his support for the digital asset industry is by freeing crypto crime lords like Ross Ulbricht. Trump Bitcoin exchange BTC-e Alexander Vinnik in a prisoner swap with Russia on Wednesday.

But, who is Alexander Vinnik and what landed him in prison in the first place? Here’s everything you need to know about the infamous Bitcoin criminal.

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