Arthur Hayes and Ben Delo of BitMEX in plea talks with the U.S. Authorities

By: Henry Felix

Arthur Hayes and Ben Delo of BitMEX in plea talks with the U.S. Authorities

March 5, 2021 5:02 AM

BitMEX executives Arthur Hayes and Ben Delo are in plea talks with the U.S. authorities according to a court transcripts.

 

Arthur Hayes former CEO of BitMEX the crypto derivative exchange is set to be in plea talks with the U.S. authorities relating to charges imposed against executives of the crypto exchange in October.

 

According to a transcript from a court teleconference on Feb. 16 which revealed Hayes and another of the exchange executives will surrender to the United States of America authority in Hawaii on April 6.

 

The former BitMEX CEO went into hiding after he and his fellow executives were accused of violating the Bank Secrecy Act by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

The transcript also reveals the assistant U.S. attorney Jessica Greenwood statements to the presiding judge, indicating the U.S. assistant attorney has been in talks with former BitMEX CEO Hayes relating to the expected surrender.

 

On Feb. Hayes broke months of silence to post an article to the BitMEX’s blog calling for a sanction of legacy finance in response to trading platforms shutting down trade amid the GameStop short-squeeze masterminded by subreddit, r/WallStreetBets.

 

However, after a few month of silence from the Hayes, it is believed he currently resides in Singapore. according to the attorney, Hayes plan on staying in Singapore but will likely appear In U.S should the trial go to court.

 

The attorney said:

 

“We have discussed with counsel how to arrange for a voluntary surrender, and he has proposed appearing within the U.S in Hawaii and having his initial appearance there and then,” she added:

 

“The idea would be that he would appear initially in Hawaii, then appear before your Honor remotely, and then he would continue to reside abroad with travel to the United States for appearances as needed and, of course, if there is a trial, that he would appear within the United States for that trial in New York.”

 

According to the attorney, co-owner Ben Delo intends to surrender in New York by the end of March despite his travel ban. Delo is currently being subject to a U.K. travel ban. However, Greenwood confirms they are working with the FBI and Border patrol to obtain immigration authorization which would allow him travel.

 

In response to the hearing, the presiding judge determined it wasn’t “reasonably possible” for a motion and trial schedule to be established. The judge then scheduled a follow-up conference for May.