On January 1, 2025, several high-profile cryptocurrency figures began their sentences following convictions in 2024. Notably, former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years for fraud, marking his first New Year's Day in prison. His ex-girlfriend, Caroline Ellison, received a two-year sentence, while Ryan Salame was sentenced to seven and a half years, with a release date set for 2031.
Additionally, Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm is awaiting trial on money laundering charges, while Alexey Pertsev, another co-founder, was sentenced to over five years in May 2024. IcomTech founder David Carmona was sentenced to ten years, and Bitfinex money launderers Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Morgan received sentences of 18 months and ongoing custody, respectively.
As of January 2025, the cryptocurrency landscape is significantly impacted by these legal outcomes, reflecting a tightening regulatory environment.