Russia to swap WSJ reporter Gershkovich for BTC-e founder Vinnik, report
Russia is reportedly set to swap two prisoners — a Wall Street Journal reporter and a former US marine — for a number of Russians held by the US and its allies, including the operator of the BTC-e crypto exchange, Alexander Vinnik. Bloomberg report ed today that journalist Evan Gershkovich and Marine Paul Whelan are en route to locations outside of Russia . According to a report from Business Insider that cites state-run Russia n outlet TASS, Vinnik, Vladislav Klyushin, Vadim Konoschenko, and Maxim Marchenko, will be sent in the other direction and their names have now been removed from the FBI electronic database. Founder of crypto exchange BTC-e eyes prisoner swap with WSJ journalist Read more: No, Russia did not just lift its ban on domestic crypto use In May this year, Vinnik pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering while working at BTC-e. He was responsible for the loss of around $121 million and encouraged criminals to use the platform to lau...