The Roman Sterlingov Case

The search for truth, and what this could mean for future legislation and government overreach

Author

Kaden Thayer
May 26, 2023

Swedish-Russian national Roman Sterlingov, who was arrested at LAX in early 2021 by the IRS, stands accused of operating Bitcoin Fog, a Bitcoin mixing service, with the intention of laundering $334 million. While the surface narrative may suggest a crackdown on illicit activities in the darknet, defense attorneys Tor Ekeland and Mike Hassard have delved deeper into the case and uncovered concerning issues regarding the motivations of the Department of Justice (DoJ) and various companies involved. Watch the full “What Bitcoin Did” podcast with Tor and Mike here.

One key concern is the lack of substantial evidence against Roman. No evidence connecting him to the alleged crimes has been discovered on any computer, thumb drive, or server.

Furthermore, the existing evidence has been provided by Chainanalysis, a blockchain forensics company. However, this evidence has not been subjected to scrutiny and has never been challenged in court.

The case also exposes several significant conflicts of interest within the DoJ and Chainalysis. The well-known revolving door between the DoJ and Big Tech raises questions about impartiality. Additionally, the utilization of cases like Roman's to enhance the reputation and valuation of Chainalysis highlights the profit incentive that can influence criminal prosecutions in the United States.

Roman Sterlingov // arrest warrant

Lastly, the case raises concerns about the overreach of the DoJ and its tactics in arresting and prosecuting individuals. The outcome of Roman's trial holds high stakes, not only for him but also for the Bitcoin community and the general public. A negative outcome for Roman could result in a potential sentence of 50 years to life in prison. If unchallenged, it could establish a dangerous precedent and grant the government expanded global jurisdiction through the internet.

Watch the full “What Bitcoin Did” podcast below 👇

As Bitcoiners, it’s important that we stand up for one another and fight for the truth, especially when it comes to legislation that could inhibit people’s freedoms in the future. This example showcases exactly how much power one case can have in determining the future of how governments respond to individuals autonomy and digital freedoms.

Donate to the Roman Sterlingov case and find out what else you can do to get involved at Tor Ekeland’s official website HERE

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