{"id":56568,"date":"2025-11-04T11:31:34","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T11:31:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/?p=56568"},"modified":"2025-11-04T11:31:34","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T11:31:34","slug":"feds-demand-five-years-for-samourai-wallet-founders-best-wallet-remains-private","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/?p=56568","title":{"rendered":"Feds Demand Five Years for Samourai Wallet Founders: Best Wallet Remains Private"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p><b>Quick Facts:<\/b><\/p>\n<p>1\u20e3 Prosecutors want the full five-year prison sentence for Samourai Wallet\u2019s founders after they pleaded guilty to an illegal money-transmitting charge.<\/p>\n<p>2\u20e3 A key piece of evidence is an internal message where a founder called their mixing feature \u2018money laundering for Bitcoin.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>3\u20e3 Best Wallet remains a private and secure multi-chain wallet for all your crypto needs. <\/p>\n<p>Get ready for a tense week in the world of crypto law. The co-founders of the privacy-focused Samourai Wallet, Keonne Rodrigues and William Lonergan Hill, are due in court for sentencing, and US prosecutors are demanding the maximum five years in prison for both men.<\/p>\n<p>The government isn\u2019t pulling any punches, painting Rodriguez and Hill as anything but simple software developers.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.nysd.615996\/gov.uscourts.nysd.615996.157.0.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">In a new filing<\/a>, prosecutors argue that the pair were basically running a digital \u2018money laundering for Bitcoin\u2019 service, actively encouraging criminals to use the platform to hide their dirty money. They\u2019re definitely not buying the defense\u2019s claim that they were just bystanders.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s a breakdown:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>The Crime:<\/b> The duo pleaded guilty back in July to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business. This was strategic, as it let them avoid three more serious charges, including money laundering, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/archives\/jm\/criminal-resource-manual-2101-money-laundering-overview#:~:text=Violations%20of%20%C2%A7%201956%20have,are%20available%20from%20the%20Section.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">carries a 20-year sentence<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>The Stakes:<\/b> They face up to five years on the charge they admitted to. Prosecutors say that over $237M in criminal cash, from drug cartels, darknet markets like Silk Road, and even sanctioned entities, flowed through Samourai\u2019s mixing service.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>The Evidence:<\/b> The government\u2019s smoking gun? Internal messages in which one of the founders allegedly referred to the mixing feature as \u2018money laundering for Bitcoin\u2019 and even promoted the tool on dark web forums as a way to \u2018clean dirty Bitcoin.\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While the court\u2019s probation office suggested a shorter 42-month sentence, the prosecutors are determined to make a statement by getting the full five-year term.<\/p>\n<p>This case is seen as a huge test for the crypto community, raising major alarms for developers and privacy advocates who worry that simply creating tools for financial anonymity could now be seen as a crime.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a high-profile showdown that\u2019s putting the entire concept of crypto privacy under intense scrutiny. The legal crackdown on crypto mixers like Samourai Wallet underscores a fundamental tension in the industry: the clash between financial anonymity and regulatory compliance.<\/p>\n<p>As the spotlight shifts away from privacy-focused tools targeted by law enforcement, the market is increasingly looking toward all-in-one, multi-chain wallets that offer robust features alongside transparent, audited security. One player standing out is <a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.care\/box_e391387a4378b5e8afeec303e605aacc?referrer=us-prosecutes-samourai-wallet-devs-for-illicit-crypto-laundering---best-wallet-remains-private\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Best Wallet<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Best Wallet: The New Guard of Secure Crypto Management<\/h2>\n<p>Unlike the old-guard, which often focused on singular aspects like deep anonymity (as Samourai did), <a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.care\/box_e391387a4378b5e8afeec303e605aacc?referrer=us-prosecutes-samourai-wallet-devs-for-illicit-crypto-laundering---best-wallet-remains-private\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Best Wallet<\/a> is positioning itself as the gold standard for secure, non-custodial, multi-chain asset management.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s an all-in-one platform that\u2019s racked up a huge user base by offering features that go far beyond simple storage, making it a powerful and secure alternative in the wake of all these regulatory crackdowns.<\/p>\n<p>What truly sets Best Wallet apart is its next-level security and commitment to making crypto accessible without sacrificing safety. It ditches the biggest point of failure for most users, the easily lost or phished seed phrase, by using <a href=\"https:\/\/fireblocks.com\/what-is-mpc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Fireblocks\u2019 secure multi-party computation technology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-620351\" src=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-04-09.56.40.png?w=285&amp;resize=407%2C600\" alt=\"Infographic explaining the security features of Best Wallet.\" width=\"407\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-04-09.56.40.png?w=607 607w, https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-04-09.56.40.png?w=285 285w, https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-04-09.56.40.png?w=448 448w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 407px) 100vw, 407px\"><\/p>\n<p>This kind of military-grade security, combined with features like biometric login and advanced anti-fraud checks, gives you real peace of mind.<\/p>\n<p>On the functionality side, the wallet is a hub for everything: you can manage, swap, and trade assets across six blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. And the team has plans to expand this to over 60 blockchains.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, its integrated DEX aggregator automatically scouts hundreds of exchanges to guarantee you get the best price and lowest fees on every single trade.<\/p>\n<p>Best Wallet is built for the modern crypto user who needs speed, security, and smart trading all in one place. It\u2019s no surprise it\u2019s at the number one spot on our <a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/best-crypto-wallet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \">list of the best crypto wallets<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>$BEST: The Fuel Behind Best Wallet<\/h2>\n<p>The entire Best Wallet ecosystem is fueled by its native asset, <a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.care\/box_34c638507da3055fa41fe4f6a6d51ed7?referrer=us-prosecutes-samourai-wallet-devs-for-illicit-crypto-laundering---best-wallet-remains-private\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Best Wallet Token ($BEST)<\/a>, which is designed to be much more than just a typical crypto coin. This token is built on utility and access, and it\u2019s why the ongoing presale has already raised a massive amount \u2013 close to $17M.<\/p>\n<p>Holding $BEST essentially means a VIP pass to the entire ecosystem. The most direct benefit is a significant reduction in transaction fees for swaps and trades made within the wallet. It\u2019s one of the main reasons our experts see <a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/best-wallet-token-price-prediction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \">$BEST potentially reaching $0.072 by the end of 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But the real game-changer is the exclusive early access to the Upcoming Tokens launchpad. This allows you to get in on the <a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/crypto-presales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \">top high-potential crypto presales<\/a> through a vetted, secure channel, eliminating the risk of falling for scam links.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-620349\" src=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-04-09.57.25.png?w=567&amp;resize=700%2C519\" alt=\"Token Launchpad explanation and the planned roll out for additional blockchains. \" width=\"700\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-04-09.57.25.png?w=1206 1206w, https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-04-09.57.25.png?w=567 567w, https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-04-09.57.25.png?w=768 768w, https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-04-09.57.25.png?w=890 890w, https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-04-09.57.25.png?w=750 750w, https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-04-09.57.25.png?w=1140 1140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\"><\/p>\n<p>As the team continues to build out its roadmap, the utility will grow, with plans to integrate $BEST with a future crypto debit card for reduced spending fees, enhanced staking rewards, and full governance rights over the platform.<\/p>\n<p>Time is running out, though, if you want to join the presale and secure your $BEST at its current early-bird price of $0.025895, with 78% staking rewards. The <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BestWalletHQ\/status\/1985331471364788246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Best Wallet team has announced<\/a> that the presale will end on November 28 \u2013 so the clock is ticking.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/16.0.1\/72x72\/1f680.png\" alt=\"\ud83d\ude80\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.care\/box_34c638507da3055fa41fe4f6a6d51ed7?referrer=us-prosecutes-samourai-wallet-devs-for-illicit-crypto-laundering---best-wallet-remains-private\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Join the Best Wallet Token ($BEST) before it\u2019s too late.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Remember, this is not intended as financial advice, and you should always do your own research before making any investments.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Authored by Ben Wallis, Bitcoinist \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/samourai-wallet-devs-crypto-laundering-charges-best-wallet-stays-private\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><em>https:\/\/bitcoinist.com\/samourai-wallet-devs-crypto-laundering-charges-best-wallet-stays-private\/<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quick Facts: 1\u20e3 Prosecutors want the full five-year prison sentence for Samourai Wallet\u2019s founders after they pleaded guilty to an illegal money-transmitting charge. 2\u20e3 A key piece of evidence is an internal message where a founder called their mixing feature \u2018money laundering for Bitcoin.\u2019 3\u20e3 Best Wallet remains a private and secure multi-chain wallet for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[3,4,5],"class_list":["post-56568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-crypto","tag-doge","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56568","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=56568"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56568\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=56568"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=56568"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=56568"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}