Blocks and Chains Intro

My name is Larry Harmon, and this blog is my journal—a way to keep myself accountable for my goals during what will undoubtedly be one of the most challenging chapters of my life. In 2020, I was indicted for operating a Bitcoin mixing service called Helix, which laundered 346,000 Bitcoin—worth billions at the time—linked to darknet transactions. During my pretrial time, my brother betrayed me by stealing Bitcoin I wasn’t supposed to move, and the court blamed me for it, nearly sending me back to prison. For the past five years, I’ve been living under house arrest, watching my life fall apart. My wife betrayed me and eventually left, and at my sentencing, the government seized all my remaining assets, including over $500 million worth of Bitcoin, leaving me with nothing. In 2024, I was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison.

Despite the devastation, I’m writing this blog as a way to grow, reflect, and keep myself accountable. With good behavior, I’ll likely be out in under two years, and my hope is to make this time a chapter of redemption and personal progress.

When I was preparing for this journey, I realized how little firsthand information there is about day-to-day life in prison, especially from a camp setting. So, I created Blocks and Chains to serve two purposes: to give my friends, family, and any followers a window into what prison life is really like, and to help me stay focused on the goals I’ve set for myself.

I plan to write about my experiences honestly, whether it’s describing the daily routines, the challenges, or the small victories. This blog will also be a way for me to track my personal progress—whether I’m reading through my growing book list, pursuing fitness and mindfulness, or working on my reentry plan for life after prison.

Speaking of books, reading is one of my main goals while I’m in. I want to immerse myself in topics ranging from American classics to quantum physics to philosophy. My hope is that anyone reading this will share book recommendations or even send books my way (once I figure out the prison mailing system). Books are not just an escape; they’re a way to learn, grow, and prepare for the next phase of my life.

Ultimately, Blocks and Chains is about more than just documenting my time in prison. It’s about finding meaning in the circumstances I’m facing and creating a better version of myself, step by step, day by day. Whether you’re here out of curiosity, support, or something else, thank you for reading and being part of this journey.

Stay tuned for updates, reflections, and, hopefully, some good reading lists.

-Larry