Ethereum MEV Bot Trial: Jury Deliberations Continue Amid Clarification Requests

Jurors who will decide whether two brothers are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a case involving maximal extractable value (MEV) bots on the Ethereum blockchain are no closer to reaching a verdict as the weekend approaches.

According to reports from Inner City Press at a New York City court on Friday, the jurors in the US government’s case against Anton and James Peraire-Bueno requested additional clarification from the judge regarding the intentions behind their actions. Despite the judge's instructions, the jurors are reportedly “having an issue reaching a unanimous verdict” in the case.

The reporting suggested that the jury could find the brothers not guilty on at least one of the charges for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to receive stolen property. Judge Jessica Clarke denied the defense lawyers’ requests for a mistrial and directed the jury to order dinner and continue deliberations.

The deliberations, having taken almost three full business days as of Friday afternoon, have been significantly longer than comparable cases involving cryptocurrency and fraud. In contrast, the jury for the criminal trial of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, in the same district court, took about five hours to find him guilty of seven felony charges.

The charges against the brothers stem from allegations that they used MEV bots to extract approximately $25 million in crypto from the Ethereum blockchain in 2023. The prosecution's theory of the case, presented to the jury, was that the two individuals had “tricked” the system by presenting themselves as “honest validators” on the blockchain.

How Long Can Juries Deliberate?

At the time of publication, it was unclear whether the jury would reach a verdict by the end of the day. In a note to the judge on Thursday, they indicated they could stay until 7:30 pm ET on Friday.

While there is generally no law limiting the amount of time a jury may take to deliberate, a judge can intervene to expedite proceedings or grant a motion for a mistrial if the jury indicates that it is deadlocked. In the Peraire-Buenos’ case, Clarke has not issued an Allen charge — “instructions given to a hung jury urging them to agree on a verdict,” according to Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute.


Risk Warning: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, investment research, or a recommendation to trade. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Markets.com. When considering shares, indices, forex (foreign exchange), and commodities for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant degree of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Leveraged products can result in capital loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Before trading, ensure you fully understand the risks involved and consider your investment objectives and level of experience. Cryptocurrency CFD trading restrictions may apply depending on jurisdiction.

Latest news

gold

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Gold Price Today, July 24: Gold Slips to $4,043 as Dollar and Yields Rise

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Nikkei 225 Falls 2.73% as Alphabet AI Costs Shake Japan Tech Stocks

oil

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Brent Crude Holds Near $100 as Red Sea Supply Risks Escalate

South Korea Tightens Rules on Single-Stock Leveraged

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

South Korea Tightens Rules on Single-Stock Leveraged ETFs, Raises Cash Requirement to KRW 30 Million from July 31

intel earnings 2026 q2

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Intel Q2 Revenue Jumps 25% on AI Demand, Beats Estimates as Strong Q3 Outlook Lifts Shares

crypto

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Crypto Prices Today July 24: Bitcoin Steadies Near $65K as ETF Demand Counters Geopolitical Uncertainty

oil price news today

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Oil Price News Today: Brent Slips Below $100 as Traders Weigh US-Iran Tensions

USD to JPY exchange rate today

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

US Treasury Says Yen Is Deeply Undervalued, Urges Bank of Japan to Continue Rate Hikes

gold

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Indices

Gold Price Today, July 23: Gold Holds Above $4,100 as Oil Rally Limits Gains

tesla earnings q2 2026

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Indices

Tesla 2026 Q2 Earnings: Revenue Surges 26% as AI Investments Weigh on Profits and Cash Flow