Shrem, 25, a prominent evangelist for the virtual currency, admitted in September to helping send money on behalf of an operator of an illegal bitcoin exchange called BTCKing. He faced as long as 71 months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, according to a report by U.S. probation officials. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, asked for probation.

In Manhattan federal court today, Shrem quoted Spider-Man and said he wanted to remain free to make sure others don't commit crimes using the virtual currency he described as his "baby."

"I screwed up," Shrem told U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff. "The bitcoin community, they're scared and there is no money laundering going on any more. They're terrified. Bitcoin is my baby, it's my whole world and my whole life, it's what I was put on this earth to do. I need to be out there. If your honor grants me that, I can be out there in the world, making sure that people don't do the same stupid things that I did."