The United States arrested two and confiscated cryptocurrencies worth 3.6 billion dollars from the Bitfinex hack

The US Ministry of Justice arrested two people and cryptocurrencies worth more than 3.6 billion

Llya Lichtenstein (34), who lives in New York, and his wife Heather Morgan (31) were arrested on Tuesday and the conspiracy for money laundering from 119,754 Bitcoin worth $ 4.5 billion accused, the US prosecutors said in a statement. The cryptocurrency was allegedly stolen when the Bitfinex exchange based in Hong Kong was injured, the prosecutors said.

The step of the Ministry of Justice comes, since the US authorities have promised to take the criminal use of digital tokens, and marks one of the most important measures since the Doj has more resources to enforce cryptocurrencies.

"Today's arrests and the greatest financial confiscation of the department so far show that cryptocurrencies are not a safe port for criminals," said deputy attorney in General Lisa Monaco.

Lichtenstein and Morgan were charged with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and the conspiracy of the United States, which is occupied with a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Lichtenstein and Morgan were not immediately available for comment.