Federal prosecutors allege that Pilipis, who ran the unlicensed exchange, AurumXchange, from 2009 to 2013, handled funds allegedly related to Silk Road sales but was not licensed to handle payments, and he could face up to 10 years in prison.

Last week, information provided to Victoria police by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) prompted the largest-ever cryptocurrency seizure by Australian law enforcement. A 31-year-old woman from Kinglake, north of Melbourne, and a 30-year-old man from Preston were arrested.