US Prosecutors Go Full Speed Ahead Against Crypto Bros in MEV Bot Case!

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Oh, what a surprise! The US prosecutors are not having any of it. They’re standing tall and saying “nope” to any fancy crypto policy arguments being dragged into the courtroom. This is all happening in the case of two cheeky brothers, Anton and James Peraire-Bueno, who are accused of exploiting Ethereum like a couple of crypto-cowboys riding a blockchain wild west. They allegedly used those sneaky little MEV bots to loot $25 million from Ethereum back in April 2023. 🤑

On Tuesday, in a dazzling display of courtroom drama at the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, the US prosecutors fired back against an amicus curiae – that’s a fancy term for a brief from someone who isn’t even part of the case but still wants to have their say. This particular brief, filed by Coin Center (a crypto advocacy group), seemed to want to give the brothers a chance to skip away scot-free. The prosecutors? Not impressed. 😡

The letter to the judge was crystal clear: “Hey, Coin Center, if you’re so concerned about digital asset policy, take it up with Congress, not the courtroom!” It was all about keeping things legal and within the law, not about creating a crypto free-for-all. 💼

Here’s the juicy part: the prosecutors argued that if the brief were allowed, it would basically open the floodgates for “nullification” – which sounds like a bad idea, like allowing a “get out of jail free” card based on policy debates instead of actual criminal evidence. The court, they said, only cares about one thing: can a jury find these bros guilty based on the evidence? Not on whether their actions will shake up the crypto world. 👀

But hold your horses! The brothers’ lawyers fired back in style. They argued that the Coin Center’s perspective could actually “help” the court understand their defense. According to them, the government’s theory is a bit “over-the-top.” Imagine this: If the government’s case holds, any time a trader does something even slightly off from Ethereum’s rules, they could be slapped with federal charges. Trading strategy gone wild? Well, that’s a criminal act, apparently. 🤔

“The government has refused to defend this breathtaking theory,” said the defense. “Which, by the way, doesn’t make any sense and goes against established legal precedent!”

Why is Everyone Watching This Case?

With the trial now in its 11th day (yes, 11!), the crypto industry is watching every move. Why? Because the outcome could set the stage for future crypto cases. A guilty verdict could send waves through the whole industry, making everyone rethink their strategies with MEV bots and beyond. 😬

So, what’s the big deal with MEV bots? Well, these bots manipulate transaction orders on the blockchain for a nice juicy profit. And boy, are they juicy. The brothers allegedly swiped $25 million using these very bots. Crazy, right? And just in case you’re wondering, Ethereum’s MEV profits were a whopping $963 million between December 2022 and January 2025. A small fortune for anyone with a solid trading strategy. 💰

The case is so big, even the big crypto players are taking notice. Industry leaders are keeping an eye on this one, as the verdict could have serious implications for crypto policy and the legal landscape. But as of now, no word from Coin Center, who were reached out to by CryptoMoon for a comment. Silence. 📞

The government claims the brothers “tricked” their victims, using a “high-speed bait and switch” to steal crypto. But the defense? They’re saying the real “victims” here are the sandwich bots, and the Peraire-Buenos were just playing a little game of digital asset extraction. 🍞💻

The trial rages on, with the brothers potentially facing up to 20 years in prison for each charge. Oh, the suspense! Can’t wait to see how this one plays out. 😏

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2025-10-30 01:39