But everything points to Vinnik not being an owner or even significant admin.
For obvious reasons, that's what they want the general public, and especially the US authorities to believe. It's the only possible way of having at least a slight possibility of returning. Important to not forget is that no matter how you look at it, BTC-E has been used to launder/store the stolen MtGox coins - this alone gives the authorities enough reason to prevent this exchange from relaunching in whatever form. And if that isn't enough, there are a few more serious cases they are connected to. In that regard, the hot wallet funds that are now in the hands of the authorities, will never be returned back to their original owners. The only hope of seeing anything back should be based on what's going to happen with BTC-E's cold wallet funds. These are still under control of whatever BTC-E entity.
i hope they still have control of the cold wallets, but how do you know? any movement we see on the blockchain could be the btc-e admins OR the feds. either way, this is a shit sandwich for all involved. i had a little dough there, waiting to buy back, i consider it lost. sucks.
