Anatoly Legkodymov, the former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Bitzlato, has requested a pardon from former U.S. President Donald Trump. The appeal, reported by Russian state news agency TASS, comes after Legkodymov served an 18-month sentence for his role in facilitating dark web transactions through the platform. Bitzlato, a cryptocurrency exchange with ties to Russia, was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Justice. Legkodymov admitted in 2023 that Bitzlato was used for illicit activities, essentially acting as a money laundering hub for criminals operating on the dark web. His plea for clemency from Trump raises questions about potential connections and the future of the sanctioned exchange. The success of this pardon request remains uncertain. ```