Svmuu News According to U.S. prosecutors, a Maryland man named Jonathan Spalletta has been formally charged for allegedly launching multiple attacks on the decentralized exchange Uranium Finance starting in 2021, involving approximately $54 million.
According to the indictment released by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Spalletta faces two charges: computer fraud and money laundering, carrying maximum sentences of 10 years and 20 years respectively, for a combined potential maximum prison term of 30 years.
Prosecutors allege that Spalletta manipulated the smart contract transaction process to create false profits, thereby illegally withdrawing more funds than he was entitled to, ultimately causing severe damage to and even the collapse of the exchange.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that he used part of the illicit proceeds to purchase collectibles, including a piece of fabric from the Wright brothers' airplane that was carried to the moon by astronaut Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission.
Prosecutors emphasized that crypto assets are equally protected by law, stating that "the notion that 'cryptocurrency is just a virtual asset' cannot serve as an excuse for theft."