Russian Gotbit Founder Reaches $23M Plea Agreement with US Prosecutors
Aleksei Andriunin, founder and CEO of cryptocurrency market maker Gotbit, has reached a plea agreement with U.S. prosecutors, agreeing to forfeit approximately $23 million in cryptocurrency assets.
Details of the Plea Agreement
According to legal documents reported by Law360, Andriunin will plead guilty to three counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and market manipulation. As part of the plea deal, he has agreed to forfeit around $23 million in Tether (USDT) and Circle’s USDC stablecoins.
The plea agreement explicitly states that the forfeiture does not satisfy or affect any other fines, penalties, restitution, or debts owed to the United States government.
Agreement Limited to Massachusetts Prosecutors
The plea deal is specifically between Andriunin and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. It does not bind the U.S. Attorney General or other federal, state, or local prosecuting authorities. Additionally, the court is not obligated to follow sentencing recommendations outlined in the plea agreement, and Andriunin cannot withdraw his guilty plea based on sentencing disagreements.
Background and Extradition
Andriunin, a 26-year-old Russian national, was extradited to the United States from Portugal in October 2024 after his arrest by Portuguese authorities. He has since appeared in federal court in Boston, Massachusetts, where he remains detained.
Gotbit, registered in Belize, allegedly engaged in widespread cryptocurrency market manipulation from 2017 to 2024, providing artificial trading volume for global cryptocurrency firms, including those based in the U.S.
Other Individuals Involved
In addition to Andriunin, Massachusetts prosecutors have charged other Gotbit employees, including marketing director Fedor Kedrov and sales director Qawi Jalili, both residing in Russia.
Quick Summary
- Aleksei Andriunin, founder of crypto market maker Gotbit, pleads guilty to market manipulation charges.
- Agrees to forfeit approximately $23 million in USDT and USDC.
- Plea agreement limited to Massachusetts prosecutors; does not bind other authorities.
- Andriunin extradited from Portugal to the U.S. in October 2024.
- Gotbit accused of artificially inflating crypto trading volumes from 2017 to 2024.
