Smithsonian Showcases IRS Laptop Used to Track Down Bitfinex Bitcoin Heist

In a historic nod to the intersection of cryptocurrency and law enforcement, the Smithsonian Institution has acquired the laptop that played a key role in solving one of the largest crypto thefts in history. The MacBook Pro, used by former IRS Special Agent Chris Janczewski, was instrumental in tracking and recovering 120,000 Bitcoin stolen from the crypto exchange Bitfinex in 2016.

A Historic Artifact of Digital Crime

The laptop will feature prominently in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in the “The Value of Money” exhibit, set to reopen in late 2024. The exhibit aims to document the evolution of money and now includes objects representing the digital age of finance.

Ellen Feingold, curator for the Smithsonian’s National Numismatic Collection (NNC), described the laptop as a “centerpiece of a criminal case that demonstrates the evolving understanding of cryptocurrency.”

The Case Behind the Laptop

Janczewski, now the head of global investigations at blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs, used the laptop to unravel the trail of stolen Bitcoin. By treating the blockchain as a digital crime scene, Janczewski was able to track the movements of the stolen funds and identify the perpetrators:

• Ilya Lichtenstein, who orchestrated the hack, was sentenced to five years in prison.

• Heather Morgan, Lichtenstein’s wife and self-styled rapper known as “Razzlekhan,” helped launder the funds and received an 18-month prison sentence.

Their arrest marked a significant milestone, not only for the recovery of the stolen assets but also for demonstrating the potential of blockchain analytics in law enforcement.

A Record-Breaking Recovery

The stolen Bitcoin, valued at over $3.6 billion at the time of recovery, represented the largest financial seizure ever by the U.S. Department of Justice. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui, who oversaw the case, recommended that the Smithsonian feature Janczewski’s laptop to highlight its historical and technological significance.

Capturing the Evolution of Bitcoin

The NNC’s mission is to document the history of money from ancient times to the digital era, yet the digital nature of Bitcoin presents unique challenges for curators.

The collection already includes:

• A Bitcoin magazine,

• Two physical Bitcoin tokens with holographic private keys,

• Two pieces of 3D-printed Bitcoin-themed jewelry.

Feingold emphasized the need to expand the collection with more Bitcoin-related artifacts, citing its role in offering a “compelling alternative” to traditional financial systems following the 2008 financial crisis.

The Significance of the Exhibit

The laptop’s inclusion in the Smithsonian underscores the growing recognition of cryptocurrency’s impact on finance, technology, and law enforcement.

The exhibit will not only highlight the innovative use of blockchain analytics but also serve as a reminder of how digital assets are reshaping global systems of value and trust.

As Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies continue to evolve, the Smithsonian’s efforts to document their impact ensure that these groundbreaking developments are preserved for future generations.