Ben Delo, one of the founders and co-owners of the competitive crypto derivatives exchange BitMEX, has surrendered to the US authorities in New York.
According to Bloomberg, Delo was remotely indicted during a March 15 trial before U.S. Judge Sarah L. Cave. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $ 20 million bail.
The bail stipulates that he can return to the UK and wait for the trial.
Delo’s surrender was part of an agreement negotiated with the US authorities in February. Conditions have been coordinated with the FBI and the US Border Patrol to allow Delo to enter the United States, despite the accused being banned from travel by the UK authorities. Rachel Miller, a Delo spokeswoman said:
“The charges against Ben are unfounded and represent an unjustified violation by the US authorities. Ben wants to defend himself against the charges and clarify his name in court. “
Delo and his colleagues at BitMEX, Arthur Hayes, Samuel Reed and Greg Dwyer, are accused of running an unregistered trading platform and violating US anti-money laundering laws by offering unlicensed services to US citizens.
Delo is the second BitMEX manager to appear on trial after ex-CTO Samuel Reed was arrested in October 2020. Reed was released that same month after depositing a $ 5 million bond and agreeing to comply with the lawsuit.
The exchange’s former CEO Arthur Hayes is currently in Singapore but is working with authorities to surrender in Hawaii on April 6th.
U.S. attorney Jessica Greenwood found that Bermuda co-owner and Greg Dwyer refused to surrender, according to recordings of a judicial conference call held on February 16. However, extradition proceedings were initiated to return Dwyer against the charges in the United States
