The executives of the derivatives trading platform – BitMEX – will face trial in March next year. The money laundering case will come 18 months after charges were first filed. The former members of BitMEX can face up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if found guilty.

The Trio Heads to Trial

Last year, US officials accused the CEO of the company Arthur Hayes, the co-founder Benjamin Delo, and the chief technology officer Samuel Reed of violating the Bank Secrecy Act. Moreover, the members of BitMEX were served with money-laundering charges.

On May 11th – 18 months after the first accusations against them – New York District Judge John Koeltl set the trial date for March 28th, 2022. Furthermore, Gregory Dwyer – BitMEX’s head of business development – also faces charges but will appear in court separately.

Even though the company’s headquarters are in the Seychelles, the US Department of Justice accused BitMEX of failing to apply anti-money laundering procedures while doing business with US-based customers.

Interestingly enough, the ex-CEO of BitMEX – Arthur Hayes – said that the exotic island was a more convenient place for business as it was much easier to bribe Seychelles’ authorities rather than the US ones. The former executives of the cryptocurrency exchange could face a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Where Was Arthur Hayes?

Attorney Jessica Greenwood told the court that Hayes has ”discussed a surrender date of April 6th, 2021 in Hawaii.” She added that ”the plan is to notify the Court in advance of that appearance and discuss logistics” around his submission.

As CryptoPotato reported, even after his remote announcement Hayes continued to reside abroad and explained that he would only visit the United States whenever has to face the trial in New York.

In the end, the former BitMEX CEO indeed turned himself in on April 6th, 2021. However, the officials released him on a $10 million bond pending the future court process.