U.S. prosecutors are seeking a retrial for Anton and James Peraire-Bueno, the brothers accused of orchestrating a $25 million Ethereum exploit through the use of MEV (maximal extractable value) bots. The move comes just days after a mistrial was declared when jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the high-profile crypto case.
In a recent filing with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, government attorneys urged the court to set a new trial date “as soon as practicable in late February or early March 2026.” The request follows an emotionally charged first trial that ended in a deadlock, despite more than three days of jury deliberation.
The Peraire-Bueno brothers face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to receive stolen property — all connected to their alleged 2023 operation that siphoned $25 million in digital assets from Ethereum traders. Prosecutors claim the brothers exploited the blockchain’s transaction sequencing system, using MEV bots to intercept and profit from pending trades.
The case has sparked widespread interest across the crypto community, as it touches on a legally grey area involving blockchain transparency, algorithmic trading, and digital asset ethics. Observers note that a guilty verdict could set a precedent for how future cases involving blockchain automation and decentralised trading are prosecuted in the United States.
During the first trial, jurors struggled to agree on whether the brothers’ actions constituted criminal conduct or sophisticated technical manoeuvring within an open blockchain network. According to court filings, jurors expressed confusion over the legal meaning of “good faith” and asked for clarification on specific testimony. The emotional toll of the deliberations became evident when half of the jurors reportedly broke down in tears, with several citing exhaustion after nearly a month of sequestered proceedings.
As of Wednesday, the presiding judge had not confirmed a new trial date, though the government’s February or March 2026 timeline remains under consideration. If convicted in the retrial, Anton and James Peraire-Bueno could face decades in federal prison, underscoring the growing legal scrutiny around crypto exploits and blockchain-based arbitrage tactics.
The case continues to highlight the evolving tension between innovation and regulation in decentralised finance. For now, the Peraire-Bueno brothers remain free pending further court decisions, as both prosecutors and the defence prepare for what could become one of the most consequential trials in crypto history.
