Faruk Fatih Ozer, the founder of the Thodex cryptocurrency exchange in Turkey, was sentenced to 11,196 years in prison for money laundering, fraud, and organized crime related to defrauding investors. Ozer fled to Albania in 2021 with investor assets after the Thodex exchange suddenly collapsed. He was extradited back to Turkey in June and faced a brief trial in Istanbul, where he was found guilty along with his sister Serap and brother Guven for the same charges. Such extraordinary prison sentences are common in Turkey since the death penalty was abolished in 2004. Thodex was founded in 2017 and became one of Turkey's largest cryptocurrency exchanges before its sudden implosion in April 2021. Ozer had gained national fame in Turkey as a financial expert and had connections with prominent pro-government figures. Prosecutors had originally asked for a much longer sentence, but he received the 11,196-year sentence based on the charges and the number of victims involved. The estimated total losses to Thodex investors were reported to be 356 million Turkish liras, which was equivalent to about $43 million at the time of the exchange's collapse. Due to rampant inflation and the lira's depreciation on international markets, that amount is now worth about $13 million. The case highlights the risks and challenges associated with the cryptocurrency market, as well as the legal measures taken by countries to address cryptocurrency-related fraud and crimes. It's worth noting that the extremely long sentences, such as 11,196 years, are symbolic and unlikely to be served in full, as they often exceed a person's natural lifespan. They serve more as a means to convey the severity of the crimes committed.