Ethereum researcher Virgil Griffith has now been formally indicted in North Korea case

Ethereum research scientist Virgil Griffith has now been formally charged for allegedly assisting North Korea in learning more about blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

Inner City Press reported the news on Wednesday, saying that Griffith has been indicted for "conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.”

Griffith was arrested in November on federal charges of illegally traveling to North Korea in April and presenting at the "Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference," despite the U.S. Department of State denying his permission to travel to the country.

He was then first denied bail and was later granted bail on a condition that his family secures a $1 million bond. Griffith's lawyer Brian Klein at the time also mentioned that Griffith has been suspended from the Ethereum Foundation, although the foundation is in support of Griffith.

According to Wednesday's report, Griffith has still not been released. "He has not satisfied his bail conditions yet. Still awaiting the approval of his co-signers and the posting of properties as collateral," per the report.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons, the agency under the Department of Justice responsible for the custody of incarcerated individuals, also shows that Griffith is still locked up.