Aleksei Andriunin has made a deal to return most of the money he stole from the crypto platform
Aleksei Andriunin, the Russian entrepreneur behind the Gotbit cryptocurrency platform, has reportedly reached a plea agreement with US prosecutors in a case involving allegations of market manipulation. The deal includes forfeiting approximately $23 million in stablecoins, including Tether (USDt) and USD Coin (USDC), as part of his guilty plea to charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to manipulate markets.
The agreement, detailed in a letter signed by Andriunin, outlines his commitment to pleading guilty to three counts. However, US Attorney Leah Foley clarified that while this deal involves the Massachusetts federal prosecutors, it does not bind the US Attorney General or other law enforcement agencies. The letter also states that the court is not obligated to follow the proposed sentencing recommendations, meaning Andriunin cannot withdraw his plea based on the final sentencing outcome.
Andriunin, 26, was extradited to the US in October 2024 following his arrest in Portugal. Since then, he has appeared in federal court in Boston, where he remains in custody.
Prosecutors allege that Gotbit operated as a market maker that engaged in widespread cryptocurrency market manipulation. The Belize-registered platform reportedly provided artificial trading volume to various global firms, including some in the United States, from 2017 to 2024.
The legal case extends beyond Andriunin, as Massachusetts prosecutors have also implicated other Gotbit executives, including marketing director Fedor Kedrov and sales director Qawi Jalili, both based in Russia. Prosecutors argue that the forfeited funds were controlled by Andriunin on behalf of Gotbit, reinforcing claims that the platform’s operations were deceptive.
The case highlights increasing scrutiny on crypto firms involved in artificial trading practices, with US authorities continuing to target those accused of fraudulent activities within the digital asset industry.
