US reportedly releases Russian cybercrime figure Alexander Vinnik in prisoner swap

Media reports suggest Alexander Vinnik, convicted operator of the BTC-e exchange, may have been released in a prisoner swap for U.S. teacher Marc Fogel, though U.S. authorities have not confirmed it; background provided includes DOJ assertions that BTC-e laundered billions in criminal proceeds from hacks and ransomware, Vinnik’s required $100M forfeiture, and context on other recent U.S.-Russia swaps involving convicted Russian cybercriminals.