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The timing of this and the bitmixer.io [0] voluntary shutdown a few days ago is a bit strange.

0: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14843373




Yes, the takedown of AlphaBay and Hansa darkmarkets, the bitmixer.io shutdown, the arrest of this guy and the BTC-e exchange 'down for maintenance' are all related, I would guess.

The person arrested is allegedly named Alexander Vinnik, according to https://thebitcoinnews.com/alexander-vinnik-admin-btc-e-arre... - but no idea where they got that name from.


"Alexander Vinnik" comes from updated Reuters article (with photo):

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-greece-russia-arrest-idUSK...


Worth noting that BTC-e owner's name was Alexander and he was supposedly Russian.


Vinnik is an Ukrainian last name. This by itself doesn't mean anything, he could still be Russian, but I wouldn't automatically assume so.

Update: never mind, Russian press says he's Russian, a former employee of Skolkovo techno park.


https://twitter.com/ReutersTech/status/890232366320553984

It's confirmed




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