A cryptocurrency expert who gave a talk at a Pyongyang conference has admitted conspiring to help North Korea evade sanctions.

Virgil Griffith, a former senior researcher with the Ethereum Foundation, pleaded guilty on Monday.

The US Department of Justice said he had “jeopardised the national security of the United States” by undermining sanctions, reports BBC.

His lawyer told the Wall Street Journal Griffith was “sincerely remorseful.”

Launder money

In April 2019, Griffith attended the Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference, with about 100 other attendees.

He had applied for permission to travel to North Korea – but when this was refused, he went anyway, reaching the country via China.

Seven months later, Griffith, who had been living in Singapore, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport.