Virgil Griffith, the former Ethereum developer who faced prison time for aiding North Korea with blockchain tech, is throwing a legal lifeline – recent changes in sentencing guidelines. His lawyer argues these tweaks qualify him for a lighter 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 the recently updated sentencing guidelines.

The key lies in a new 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 potentially as low as 41 months.

But 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.

The question remains: 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.