- Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road marketplace, has been released after over a decade in prison.
- Former President Donald Trump issued a full and unconditional pardon.
- The decision fulfills a campaign pledge and draws attention to cryptocurrency regulation debates.
Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the infamous online black market Silk Road, has been released from federal prison following a full pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The decision fulfills the campaign promise made by Trump and ends Ulbricht’s life sentence stemming from his 2015 conviction on charges including drug trafficking, computer hacking, and money laundering.
Silk Road: The Dark Web Marketplace
The Silk Road operated from 2011 to 2013 as an anonymous marketplace on the dark web, facilitating over $200 million in transactions, largely for illicit goods. Users relied on Bitcoin for payments and the Tor network to conceal their identities.
Prosecutors alleged that Ulbricht, operating under the alias “Dread Pirate Roberts,” oversaw the platform and took extreme measures to maintain its operation, including soliciting murders. However, no evidence of violence was found.
Trump Criticizes Ulbricht’s Prosecution
Trump personally informed Ulbricht’s mother of the pardon, describing it as “full and unconditional.” On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump condemned those involved in Ulbricht’s prosecution, accusing them of government overreach.
Brandon Sample, Ulbricht’s clemency attorney, welcomed the decision, stating, “This represents a chance for Ross to rebuild his life and contribute positively to society.”
Trump Fulfilling Crypto Campaign Promises
Ulbricht’s case became a touchstone in the regulation of cryptocurrencies and the fight against dark web crime. The Silk Road highlighted how digital currencies like Bitcoin could be misused to facilitate illegal transactions, prompting early law enforcement efforts to address cryptocurrency-related crimes.
During his trial, Ulbricht admitted to creating the Silk Road but claimed he had handed over control of the platform and was being scapegoated as its figurehead.
Following Trump’s election victory, Ulbricht took to X to celebrate Trump’s victory and remind him of his promise. One week after the election, he wrote on X that he “can finally see the light of freedom at the end of the tunnel.”
Ulbricht’s release has sparked renewed optimism about Trump fulfilling his campaign promises for the crypto community. The Libertarian Party, which has long advocated for Ulbricht’s release, called his case a symbol of government overreach.
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