Jurors in the federal case against Anton and James Peraire-Bueno remain divided after three days of debate over alleged blockchain manipulation.
A New York jury deliberating on the high-profile Ethereum MEV bot case involving brothers Anton and James Peraire-Bueno appears to be struggling to reach a verdict, as discussions stretched into the weekend. The case, which centers on an alleged $25 million exploit of the Ethereum blockchain, is testing the boundaries of how U.S. law applies to decentralized finance (DeFi) technology.
Jury Struggles to Reach Consensus
Jurors informed the court on Friday that they were “having an issue reaching a unanimous verdict,” despite receiving clarification from Judge Jessica Clarke about the defendants’ intent. According to court reports, the panel’s indecision prompted the defense to request a mistrial — a motion that was denied by the judge, who instructed jurors to continue deliberations through dinner.
“This case highlights how complex blockchain-related crimes can be for juries to interpret,” said a legal analyst specializing in crypto litigation. “The lack of precedent makes it difficult to distinguish between manipulation and innovation.”
The deliberations have already extended beyond three business days, far longer than typical cryptocurrency-related cases. For comparison, the jury in Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial took less than five hours to reach a verdict on seven felony charges.
Background: The $25 Million MEV Bot Case
The U.S. government alleges that the Peraire-Bueno brothers exploited maximal extractable value (MEV) bots on the Ethereum network in 2023, using sophisticated tactics to siphon roughly $25 million from the system. Prosecutors claim the pair “tricked” the blockchain by posing as honest validators, thereby manipulating transaction sequencing for profit.
The defense argues the actions were not fraudulent, but rather technically permissible within Ethereum’s open architecture, challenging traditional definitions of theft in digital ecosystems.
Uncertain Outcome and Legal Implications
At the time of writing, it remains unclear whether the jury will deliver a verdict or if deliberations will extend further. While there is no time limit for jury discussions, judges can declare a mistrial if a deadlock persists.
As the Ethereum MEV bot trial stretches on, the case underscores the growing legal gray area surrounding DeFi exploits and validator behavior. Whatever the verdict, it is expected to shape future enforcement and innovation in blockchain technology — marking a pivotal moment for the intersection of crypto and the U.S. justice system.
Disclaimer
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