Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin has asked the New York court for indulgence for the upcoming lawsuit of former Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith. Buterin wrote to District Judge Kevin Castel of the Southern District of New York, describing his seven-year friendship with Griffith, whom he met in 2013.
Buterin discussed Griffith’s gentle nature in the letter. He wrote that Griffin left a lasting legacy at the Ethereum Foundation and even changed himself. Buterin said:
He also touched upon Griffth’s interest in other cultures and included his efforts to align Ethereum with Islamic financial law.
What Happened?
Griffin was arrested in November 2019, accused of violating US sanctions law. In September 2021, he pleaded guilty in an agreement with federal prosecutors that could allow him to serve up to 6.5 years in prison.