Cheyenne Ligon

Cheyenne is a features and opinions editor at CoinDesk. Previously, she covered U.S. policy and regulation, with a focus on court proceedings and crime. She was part of the Gerald Loeb award-winning team that chronicled the downfall of FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried. She has no significant crypto holdings.

Cheyenne Ligon

Latest from Cheyenne Ligon


Policy

Accused Bitfinex Launderer Heather Morgan Might Be Offered a Plea Deal

At Morgan’s arraignment on Monday, prosecutors told a federal judge they’re in talks with the defense to find a “resolution” to the criminal case that would see Morgan avoid trial.

Heather Morgan, from her video "Rap Anthem for Misfits & Weirdos: Versace Bedouin Music Video (2019)" (Razzlekhan on YouTube)

Policy

Chainalysis Says ‘Criminal Whales' Account for 4% of the Overall Pod

A new report from blockchain research firm Chainalysis says criminal whales held over $25 billion worth of cryptocurrency at the end of 2021.

Beluga whales swim in the Churchill River, Manitoba, Canada. (Getty Images)

Policy

Federal Judge Releases 'Razzlekhan,' Orders Other Bitfinex Hack Laundering Suspect to Remain in Jail

Monday’s bail review hearing overturned last week’s decision by a New York magistrate judge, at least for one suspect.

Meade and Prettyman Federal Courthouses (AgnosticPreachersKid/Wikimedia Commons)

Finance

Were the Alleged Bitfinex Launderers Planning an Escape to Ukraine?

Ilya “Dutch” Lichtenstein and Heather Morgan allegedly took a month-long trip to Ukraine in 2019 to prepare for a life on the lam, contend U.S. prosecutors.

Heather Morgan, who along with her husband Ilya "Dutch" Lichtenstein, is accused of attempting to launder more than $4 billion worth of stolen bitcoin. (Heather Morgan/Facebook)

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Policy

New Documents Detail Prosecutors’ Concerns That Bitfinex Hack Laundering Suspects Would Flee

Prosecution also combatted the defense portrayal of Heather Morgan as an unwitting accomplice to her husband’s alleged crimes.

The Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York courthouse in New York (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Policy

Bipartisan Bill Would Allow Tennessee to Invest in Crypto and NFTs

State Rep. Jason Powell said crypto-friendly laws would help draw more businesses to the state.

Tennessee State Capitol Building

Finance

Ransomware Payments Are Getting Bigger as Hackers Shift Focus to Larger Targets: Chainalysis

New research from blockchain surveillance firm Chainalysis shows that ransomware gangs are getting more sophisticated.

A woman using a smartphone (Getty/D3sign)

Policy

Crypto Tax Pros Throw Cold Water on Staking Excitement

Recent media excitement over a lawsuit partially funded by the Proof of Stake Alliance (POSA) has caused confusion over crypto taxes, but experts say it's best to remain cautious.

(Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images)

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Policy

IMF Chief Touts Advantages of CBDCs Over ‘Unbacked Crypto Assets’ and Stablecoins

Kristalina Georgieva said Wednesday that well-designed CBDCs “can potentially offer more resilience, more safety, greater availability and lower costs” than private cryptocurrencies.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 04: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a joint press conference with World Bank Group President David Malpass on the recent developments of the coronavirus, COVID-19, and the organizations' responses on March 4, 2020 in Washington, DC. It was announced yesterday that the Annual Spring Meetings held by the IMF and World Bank in Washington, DC have been changed to virtual meetings due to concerns about COVID-19. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Policy

Judge Stops Release of Bitfinex Hack Laundering Suspects

Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Morgan were arrested Tuesday on allegations they conspired to launder bitcoin from the 2016 hack.

Southern District of New York courthouse (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)