Bitcoin, the king of digital currencies, counts as real money.

That was the decision handed out by U.S. district Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan on the ongoing criminal case involving the now defunct Florida bitcoin exchange Coin.mx and one of its former operators, Anthony Murgio.

Murgio, who was indicted on alleged money laundering charges last year, wanted the court to dismiss two charges related to Coin.mx’s operation on grounds that bitcoin don’t count as “funds” under the U.S. law.

Nathan, however, believes otherwise.