A MacBook Pro used by the IRS to trace $3.6 billion in stolen Bitcoin from the Bitfinex exchange has been added to the Smithsonian's National Numismatic Collection.

The laptop's inclusion in the collection was prompted by Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui, who recognized its historical significance in the Bitfinex case.

Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Morgan, dubbed Bitcoin's Bonnie and Clyde, stole nearly 120,000 Bitcoin from Bitfinex in 2016, which was valued at approximately $70 million at the time.

Following their arrest in 2022, Lichtenstein was sentenced to five years in prison, while Morgan received an 18-month sentence for laundering the stolen funds.

This financial seizure is recognized by the Department of Justice as the largest in U.S. history.

The case illustrates the evolving understanding of cryptocurrency, challenging the perception of Bitcoin's anonymity and highlighting its traceability.

Ellen Feingold, curator of the National Numismatic Collection, emphasized that while cryptocurrency can facilitate anonymous transactions, it does not shield criminal activity.

The laptop symbolizes a shift in public perception from viewing cryptocurrency as entirely anonymous to recognizing its pseudo-anonymous nature, especially in criminal investigations.

Feingold noted that the case is significant not only for the amount of cryptocurrency seized but also for the successful apprehension of the perpetrators.

The laptop will be displayed in the Smithsonian's 'The Value of Money' gallery, which aims to document the evolution of monetary systems.

Curator Jaclyn Nash discussed the challenges of collecting physical artifacts related to digital currency, underscoring the importance of documenting contemporary monetary developments.

The collection also includes a Bitcoin magazine, physical Bitcoin tokens, and Bitcoin-themed jewelry, reflecting the need for more artifacts related to cryptocurrency.