Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, has been released from Belmarsh prison in the UK after striking a plea deal with US authorities, marking a pivotal moment in his lengthy legal ordeal. According to a statement from WikiLeaks, Assange departed the maximum security facility on June 24, 2024, after spending 1,901 days incarcerated.

Assange was granted bail by the High Court in London and later released at Stansted Airport, where he boarded a plane departing the UK. He is expected to plead guilty to a single criminal charge related to conspiring to obtain and disclose classified US national defense documents. The sentencing, where he is set to receive credit for the 62 months already served, will occur on the island of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands.

His wife, Stella Assange, expressed relief in an interview with the BBC, stating, “The crucial aspect of the deal was time served – signing it meant he could walk free. He will officially be released once a judge signs off on it, which is expected to happen tomorrow.”

This development potentially concludes Assange’s protracted legal battle, stemming from WikiLeaks’ publication of classified US materials in 2010. The plea agreement, pending judicial approval, would bring an end to the US government’s pursuit of Assange and pave the way for his return to Australia after years of confinement.

Stella Assange conveyed her emotions upon Julian’s release, saying, “I’m absolutely overjoyed. Honestly, it feels surreal... We weren’t certain until the final 24 hours that this would actually happen.”

Assange’s association with Bitcoin is notable, as WikiLeaks began accepting Bitcoin donations in 2011, establishing itself as an early adopter of cryptocurrencies. This move not only provided crucial financial support during periods of financial blockade but also contributed to Bitcoin’s credibility and utility.

In a 2014 interview, Assange praised Bitcoin as “the most interesting thing on the internet,” highlighting its potential beyond payments to include globally verifiable timestamping of publications. Since then, Bitcoin has surged in value, underscoring the foresight in Assange’s assessment.

Throughout Assange’s legal battles, supporters utilized decentralized finance mechanisms to raise over 16,500 ether (worth over $55.2 million) for his defense. This innovative use of crypto technology underscores the intertwined histories of WikiLeaks, information freedom, and the rise of cryptocurrencies as tools for financial sovereignty and resistance to censorship.

As Assange prepares for his court proceedings in Saipan, global attention focuses on the finalization of the plea agreement and his potential return to Australia. This development not only marks a significant personal milestone for Assange but also reignites debates on press freedom, government transparency, and the role of cryptocurrencies in supporting contentious causes.