Roman Sterlingov, the founder of Bitcoin Fog, a cryptocurrency mixer, is facing a potential 30-year prison sentence following his conviction on charges related to money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmission service. Prosecutors allege that from 2011 to 2021, Bitcoin Fog facilitated the laundering of roughly $400 million in Bitcoin linked to illegal activities, including drug trafficking and identity theft. Sterlingov’s defence argues that much of the evidence is circumstantial and claims he wasn’t directly responsible for operating Bitcoin Fog. His legal team contends that the proposed sentence is excessive and inconsistent with similar cases, emphasising that Sterlingov’s role was more aligned with aiding and abetting rather than running the platform directly. The court will first address asset forfeiture issues before determining the final sentencing.