In Brief:
- South African crypto developer Riccardo Spangi released from custody in the US.
- Spagni was arrested in mid-July in the United States.
- Spagni actively working with his attorneys on return to South Africa to address this matter.
South African cryptocurrency developer Riccardo Spagni was released from custody in the US this week.
Riccardo Spagni, also known as “fluffypony,” was arrested by US Marshals in late July in Tennessee at the request of SA authorities. He was denied bail on 19 August and spent 61 days in custody.
The release provides Spagni some freedom, at least temporarily, while he attempts to “address this matter” and put it behind him “once and for all.”
Spagni was released this week under a provision of South Africa’s extradition agreement with the United States. It states that suspects may be discharged from custody after 60 days if the requesting state, South Africa, has not provided the required information.
The court ordered him to stay in the Middle District of Tennessee, where he was arrested, and hand over his passport.
On Wednesday, Spagni tweeted “I am very pleased that the U.S. court has released me. I am actively working with my attorneys on a way to return to South Africa as soon as possible so I can address this matter and get it behind me once and for all. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
“All parties in this case desire for Spagni to return to South Africa and address the decade old allegation that he defrauded his former employer, Cape Cookies,” state his lawyers. “The controversy, to the extent that one exists, is about the form of his return.”
