Bitcoin Fog operator’s conviction upheld without Chainalysis disclosing source code
The D.C. Circuit upheld Roman Sterlingov’s Bitcoin Fog convictions and 150-month sentence, finding that expert testimony using Chainalysis Reactor was sufficiently reliable for admission. Although the software lacked peer review and a known error rate, the court cited experts’ experience, explained methods, corroboration and law-enforcement use. The court distinguished evidence attributing addresses to Bitcoin Fog from proof of who controlled them or owned funds. Sterlingov’s request for source code failed because he did not explain its relevance to his defense; the court also noted that his experts declined to review disclosed methodology. The ruling supports admitting proprietary blockchain analysis on these facts, not a general finding that the software is error-free.
