Samourai Wallet Founders Plead Guilty to Unlicensed Money Transmitter Charges Amid Legal Debate

Key Points

1. Samourai Wallet founders William Lonergan Hill and Keonne Rodriguez pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money transmitter, facing up to five years in prison.

2. Samourai Wallet was a privacy-focused cryptocurrency mixer accused of facilitating money laundering over $100 million in illicit funds.

3. The DeFi Education Fund criticized the DOJ's approach, arguing it misinterprets Section 1960 of the law and represents regulatory overreach.

4. The case aligns with other high-profile prosecutions, such as the Tornado Cash co-founder's trial, raising concerns about the future of crypto privacy tools.

5. Sentencing for the Samourai Wallet founders is scheduled for November 6, 2025, with penalties to be determined based on the guilty plea.