The founders of Samourai Wallet admitted guilt in money laundering.

The co-founders of the cryptocurrency wallet Samourai Wallet, Keonn Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, decided to plead guilty in a money laundering case. Their advocates filed the appropriate motions in the federal court of New York.

Rodriguez and Hill are accused of conspiracy to launder money and conducting an unlicensed money transfer business. The maximum penalty for the first charge is 20 years in prison, and for the second, five years. In total, they face up to 25 years in prison.

The hearing on the amendment to the plea of guilty has already taken place. It is unknown how this will affect the verdict. The trial is scheduled for November 3.

How events unfolded

In April 2024, the founders of the service were arrested on charges of facilitating the laundering of $100 million in criminal proceeds. According to authorities, since 2015, Samourai Wallet has processed anonymous transactions totaling $2 billion.

On April 29, Rodriguez was released on bail of $1 million, secured by real estate in Pennsylvania, as well as the signatures of his wife and another family member. At that time, he did not plead guilty to operating an unlicensed money business and laundering criminal proceeds.

Hilla was released on bail of $2 million in July, of which $200,000 was posted in cash, and the remaining amount was in the form of his family home in New York.

Recall that in May 2025, prosecutors dismissed the defense's allegations of concealing important information and refused to withdraw the lawsuit, continuing the legal proceedings.