Crypto crime figure Alexander Vinnik exchanged for detained U.S. teacher

The United States has agreed to release Russian national Alexander Vinnik, a suspected cybercrime figure, as part of a prisoner exchange that secured the freedom of American teacher Marc Fogel. 

Vinnik, 44, operated BTC-e, once one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. He was arrested in Greece in 2017 at Washington’s request on suspicion of laundering $4 billion through the platform, according to Reuters 

In May 2024, Vinnik pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and faced up to 20 years in prison.

Marc Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, was detained in Russia in August 2021 for attempting to enter the country with approximately half an ounce of medical marijuana, prescribed to him in the United States for chronic pain. 

In June 2022, he was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 years in a Russian penal colony. After extensive diplomatic negotiations, Fogel was released and returned to the U.S. on Feb. 11.

Donald Trump’s involvement

The exchange was facilitated by President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, with Saudi Arabia playing a role in finalizing the swap. President Trump welcomed Fogel at the White House upon his return, expressing optimism that the development could positively impact ongoing negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the exchange, stating that the identity of the Russian citizen released by the U.S. would be disclosed upon his return to Russia. The swap is viewed as a potential step toward building mutual trust between the two nations amid heightened tensions.