Crypto Hacker Stole $55 Million and Spent Millions on Pokémon Cards & Coins
Jonathan Spalletta has been convicted of computer fraud and money laundering for stealing over $50 million from the decentralized exchange Uranium Finance. He used the stolen funds to purchase high-value collectibles, including rare Pokémon cards, ancient coins, and historical artifacts.
Why it matters
The case highlights the ongoing security vulnerabilities in decentralized finance (DeFi) and the methods authorities use to track and seize assets purchased with illicit cryptocurrency proceeds.
Photographs of the Black Lotus Magic Card, the piece of fabric from the original Wright brothers' airplane that was subsequently transported to the surface of the moon by astronaut Neil Armstrong, and certain of the Antique Coins, all of which were seized from the residence of SPALLETTA pursuant to a judicially-authorized search warrant. Image: Justice.gov Jonathan Spalletta exploited coding flaws in a decentralized exchange to steal more than $50 million , then left prosecutors a physical trail measured in rare trading cards, ancient coins, and moon-touched fabric.
A federal jury in Manhattan convicted Jonathan Spalletta, 36 , of Rockville, Maryland, on one count of computer fraud and one count of money laundering after a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff. Prosecutors said he drained more than $50 million from the Uranium Finance cryptocurrency exchange.
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