Retrial Sought for Brothers in $25 Million Ethereum Exploit Case

According to Cointelegraph, Anton and James Peraire-Bueno, two brothers accused of money laundering and fraud related to a $25 million exploit of the Ethereum blockchain, may face a second trial as early as February. In a recent filing with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, government attorneys requested that a federal judge schedule a retrial for the brothers in late February or early March 2026. This request followed a mistrial declaration after jurors failed to reach a verdict. The brothers were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to receive stolen property. These charges stem from their alleged use of maximal extractable value (MEV) bots to exploit $25 million in digital assets in 2023. The case has garnered significant attention within the crypto industry due to the potential implications of a guilty verdict on Ethereum trading practices. If convicted in a retrial, the brothers could face lengthy prison sentences. During the initial trial, jurors deliberated for over three days but were unable to reach a consensus. Throughout this period, the jury sought clarification on testimony and the definition of "good faith." A letter filed on the public docket revealed that the jury experienced emotional distress, with some members breaking down in tears and reporting sleepless nights. Additionally, the jury faced financial and psychological challenges due to being sequestered from their jobs and families for nearly a month. As of Wednesday, the judge had not set a date for a potential retrial.