Security News > 2022 > April > US cryptocurrency coder gets 5 years for North Korea sanctions busting
You may recall the late cryptocurrency trading hamster, Mr Goxx, who went viral during his brief and colourful life as a rodentine coinhodler.
Sadly, given how this particular story ends, US cryptocurrency developer Virgil Griffith has provided another episode in the never-a-dull-moment world of cryptocurrencies.
According to the US Department of Justice, Griffith decided to look into business opportunities involving North Korea and cryptocurrencies, including cryptocoin mining in the country.
Griffith therefore applied to the US authorities for offical permission to travel to North Korea to speak at a cryptocurrency event entitled Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference.
Pursued plans to facilitate the exchange of cryptocurrency between and South Korea, despite knowing that assisting with such an exchange would violate sanctions against [the North].
He] also attempted to recruit other US citizens to travel to North Korea and provide similar services to and attempted to broker introductions for to other cryptocurrency and blockchain service providers.