Virgil Griffith, the former Ethereum developer who faced prison time for aiding North Korea with blockchain tech, is throwing a lifeline – recent legal revisions. His lawyer argues these tweaks qualify Griffith for a reduced sentence, potentially shaving off a year behind bars.

Griffith's offense? Traveling to North Korea and sharing his blockchain expertise, defying US sanctions. He initially received 63 months and a hefty fine, but his legal team sees an opening in updated sentencing guidelines.

The key lies in a provision offering a two-point reduction for specific "low-risk" offenders. Griffith's defense claims he fits the bill – a first-time, non-violent offender with minimal recidivism risk.

This potential two-point drop could significantly impact his sentence, bringing it down from 51-63 months to a minimum of 41 months.

The fight doesn't stop there. Griffith's lawyer is pushing for a revised pre-sentence report and a chance to present additional arguments for a lighter sentence.

This case raises questions: Did Griffith truly pose a minimal threat, or is his defense exploiting a legal loophole? The court will ultimately decide if these guideline changes offer Griffith a lifeline or if his initial sentence stands.

Meanwhile, in Crypto Land:

Another legal battle unfolds. Roman Storm, co-founder of the cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash, is fighting charges of money laundering. His argument? Tornado Cash was a publicly available, immutable tool before sanctioned groups allegedly misused it. He claims he couldn't control who accessed it.

Both these cases highlight the evolving legal landscape surrounding cryptocurrency and its potential role in skirting sanctions.