I’ve always been fascinated by technology and drawn to innovative ideas, so when I discovered Bitcoin in 2013, I was immediately hooked. I started exploring ways to acquire Bitcoin without buying it outright, and for fun, I created Grams, a darknet scraper search engine. I built it overnight, and within 48 hours, it took off in ways I hadn’t imagined. The attention grew so quickly that I was anonymously interviewed by Wired, and that’s when I realized I had something significant. At the time, I believed that because Grams was simply scraping information, it was legal, and I rationalized to myself that it was okay.

As I observed the growing darknet economy, I noticed Bitcoin mixers were making the real money. Inspired, I developed a revolutionary new way to mix Bitcoin and integrated it into Grams as a service called Helix. Like Grams, Helix was an overnight success. While I rationalized that I was simply providing an anonymous service, I knew many of the users were drug dealers, and I shouldn’t have been doing it. Helix operated for three years, generating more money than I could count, but my real passion was to build a legitimate business. In 2017, with the resources I had earned from Grams, I decided to shut it down and focus on creating something sustainable and above board.

The five years I spent on house arrest were the most challenging of my life. I was allowed to leave the house for only three hours a week to buy groceries, which left me feeling isolated and trapped. Many of my friends distanced themselves—not because they didn’t like me, but out of fear of being associated with me. Despite their distance, a few loyal friends stuck around, supporting me through this dark time. At home, my wife and I did our best to adapt. She took on full-time web development work to pay the bills since I was no longer able to contribute.

The uncertainty about my future weighed on me every single day. For years, I didn’t know if I’d spend the rest of my life in prison. At one point, I pled to a deal for 20 years, hoping the judge would have mercy. In the meantime, I worked hard to cooperate with the government, helping them understand Bitcoin and developing tools for them. Yet, the delays in my case were endless—first from COVID-19, then from other high-priority cases like the January 6th investigations. My sentencing was postponed again and again, sometimes by 90 days, sometimes by six months. Living on the edge like that for five years was an unbearable weight.

Three years into house arrest, my wife left me, and the last year and a half became the hardest time of my life. I was utterly alone, with only my dog for company. The loneliness was crushing, and the uncertainty about my future never let up. Looking back, those years tested me in ways I never thought possible. The isolation, abandonment, and constant delays left me feeling like I was in limbo.

Now, strangely enough, I’m looking forward to going to prison. It’s a chance to finally move forward, to put this chapter behind me, and to start working toward a fresh start when I get out. I see it as an opportunity to rebuild my life and create something new.

As I prepare to begin my sentence, I’m focused on using my time in prison to better myself—physically, mentally, and professionally. I plan to get in the best shape of my life by practicing yoga daily, running on the track if my knees can handle it, and staying consistent with my fitness routine. Beyond that, I’ll dedicate myself to reading and self-education, using books to expand my knowledge and grow as a person.

I’m also using this website as a way to journal my experiences and reflect on my journey. While I may not write every day, I plan to share updates weekly, using writing as a tool to generate new ideas and set meaningful goals. By the time I’m released, I hope to have a clear vision for the future and a wealth of ideas to pursue.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to start fresh with a new sense of purpose. I plan to reconnect with the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency world when I get out, creating meaningful connections with people interested in podcasts, projects, or building crypto businesses. One of my goals is to restart CoinNinja or develop a similar wallet that allows users to store Bitcoin directly on their phones without relying on a company—a feature I still believe is critically needed in the Bitcoin space.

I also aim to explore work opportunities in the cryptocurrency and cybersecurity fields, leveraging my experience and passion to contribute to these industries in meaningful ways. While the road ahead will be challenging, I’m looking forward to starting over, with a renewed focus on what truly matters in life and a commitment to making the most of this second chance.