Barnes & Thornburg Secures Decisive Victory on Behalf of Bitcoin Exchange Operator Maximiliano Pilipis – CryptoMode
Indianapolis- (Business Wire) -The Barnes & Thornburg's lawyer's attorney in white collar, compliance and investigation gained a full removal of all criminals and civil charges on behalf of their client Maximiliano Pilipis, an early adopted bitcoin and former operator of a virtual money exchange.
“This is a huge win for our white collar, compliance and investigation training,” says Andrew J. DetherageFirmwide managing partner at Barnes & Thornburg. “This result reflects our team's strength and sophistication when navigating highly complex disputes.”
Mr. Philippines runs Aurumxchange, a virtual currency exchange, during the formative years of the cryptocurrency industry. Although the Department of Justice (DOJ) began investigating in 2010, Mr. Pilipis was not accused until 2024, when prosecutors conquered or conquered almost all of his owners. The government has accused Mr. Philippines running an unlicensed money service business from 2009 to 2013 and then released the proceeds beginning in 2018, years after closing Aurumxchange.
The Barnes & Thornburg team argued in a movement to remove the accusation that Mr. Pilipis's business was not subject to registration requirements under regulations that were effective at that time, and therefore, no criminal conduct occurred. Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson, a Senior District judge for the United States District District for the Southern District of Indiana, gave the movement to remove the accusation of a command issued on February 13, 2025, found that Aurumxchange was not subject to registration requirements at the time it operated.
After the first appeal to the dismissal, the DOJ eventually removed its challenge and was moved to remove criminal and civil cases forfeiture altogether. On April 23, 2025, Judge Magnus-Stinson gave those movements and removed criminal and civil cases with prejudice. Barnes & Thornburg is currently working to secure the return of Mr. Pilipis's property.
The Barnes & Thornburg team representing Mr. Pilipis includes partners Katie Matsoukas, Josh Minkler and Aly Hughes, along with advice Katie Mills and Associate Anne Parrish.
“We are proud to clear Mr. Pilipis's name after years under a cloud of investigation and persecution,” said Katie MatsoukoWhite collar, compliance and investigation co-chair. “As digital currencies have emerged as the regulations are left behind, early adoptions operating good faith need to navigate emerging legal frameworks.
“This success ends with an incapacitated -believing difficult process that has been spanked for many years. It has been personally affecting, but it is also a significant moment for the Bitcoin community and for others who work to change with integrity to emerging spaces within an uncertain legal or regulation environment,” Filipinos said. “I appreciate the relentless dedication of the Barnes & Thornburg team to my defense.”
The case is the United States of America compared to Maximiliano Pilipis, Case no. 1: 24-CR-00009-JMS, argued in front of the US district court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division.
With over 800 lawyers and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law companies in the country. The company serves clients all over the world from www.btlaw.com.
Contacts
Lisa Seidenberg
Greensarget
(312) 252-4108
lseidenberg@greentarget.com
