Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht Thanks Trump for Full Pardon After 11 Years in Prison

Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, has expressed immense gratitude after being granted a full pardon by former President Donald Trump. Ulbricht had been serving a double life sentence without the possibility of parole for his role in operating the Silk Road, a platform notorious for enabling the trade of illicit goods using Bitcoin. Ulbricht’s release, after spending over 11 years in a maximum-security facility in Arizona, was made possible by Trump’s intervention, which many supporters believe righted an unjustly harsh sentence.

In a moving video posted on the social media platform X, Ulbricht spoke publicly for the first time since his release, thanking Trump for his clemency. “Last night, Donald Trump granted me a full pardon.But he let me out. I’m a free man now. So let it be known that Donald Trump is a man of his word,” Ulbricht stated in the video.

Ulbricht went on to express profound gratitude for the opportunity to live his life once again. “Thank you so much,This is such an important moment for me and for my whole family,” he added.

The Silk Road, which Ulbricht established in 2011, quickly gained notoriety for being a marketplace that facilitated the anonymous exchange of illegal goods, including drugs, by using Bitcoin as a form of payment. In 2013, authorities shut down the platform, and Ulbricht was arrested and charged with multiple crimes related to the site. He was convicted in 2015 and sentenced to life without parole. Many believed that his punishment was too severe, especially for a non-violent crime that didn’t directly involve physical harm.

Ulbricht’s case became a rallying point for advocates who believed the criminal justice system had been overly punitive. A broad coalition, including his family, civil liberties organizations, and some libertarian-leaning politicians, launched a campaign to have his sentence commuted. Petitions circulated and millions of people signed in support of his release, arguing that the punishment didn’t fit the crime.

The movement to free Ulbricht gained significant traction over the years, and now, after his release, his supporters are helping him adjust to life outside of prison. The social media account Free_Ross, dedicated to supporting his cause, shared an emotional post describing Ulbricht’s first moments of freedom. The post detailed how Ulbricht was able to embrace his family members—his wife, parents, and sister—outside the prison gates, a moment that many supporters are calling a “dream come true.”

In the aftermath of his release, Ulbricht has received substantial financial support through cryptocurrency donations. His supporters, eager to see him transition into a new life, have contributed over $270,000 in Bitcoin alone. Notable donors include the cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, which donated $111,111 to Ulbricht’s cause. Contributions have also come in the form of smaller donations in other cryptocurrencies, such as Ether, Solana, Cardano, and Dogecoin.

Ulbricht has expressed his appreciation for the support and explained his immediate plans now that he is free. “It feels amazing to be free, to say the least,” he shared in a recent statement. He mentioned that he plans to focus on spending time with his family and processing the emotional and physical toll of more than a decade in prison. “This is a victory… for everybody everywhere who loves freedom and who cares about second chances,” Ulbricht said, highlighting the significance of his release for others in similar situations.

Another compelling element of Ulbricht’s story is the discovery of significant dormant Bitcoin linked to his Silk Road activities. Conor Grogan, a director at Coinbase, revealed that Ulbricht still controls approximately 430 BTC, which at current prices is worth around $47 million. These funds, which have remained untouched for over 13 years, were never seized by authorities during Ulbricht’s trial and conviction. This discovery has added a new layer of intrigue to his story, as some speculate about the future implications of these funds for Ulbricht’s financial freedom.

Arkham Intelligence, a firm that tracks blockchain data, has corroborated the findings, revealing that some of these funds are tied to wallets that date back to the original Silk Road marketplace. One of these wallets contains more than $9 million worth of Bitcoin, which has remained dormant since Ulbricht’s arrest. This has further fueled speculation about how these assets might play a role in Ulbricht’s life now that he is no longer behind bars.

While Ulbricht has been receiving widespread support from his advocates, the pardon has sparked debate. Some view the commutation as a much-needed correction to an excessively harsh sentence, especially given Ulbricht’s non-violent involvement in the Silk Road operation. However, others believe his actions should not be excused, arguing that his role in enabling illegal activities, including drug trafficking, still carries consequences. Despite the differing opinions, Ulbricht’s release marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing discussion about criminal justice reform and the future of crimes related to cryptocurrency.

As Ulbricht adjusts to life outside prison, it remains uncertain what role, if any, he will continue to play in the world of cryptocurrency. His name has become synonymous with the early days of Bitcoin and the debates surrounding its use for illicit purposes. Whether or not he becomes a vocal advocate for reforming drug laws, the criminal justice system, or cryptocurrency legislation remains to be seen. For now, Ross Ulbricht has regained his freedom and seems committed to making the most of this second chance at life.

His story, though filled with controversy, has undeniably captured the public’s attention and will likely continue to fuel discussions about the fairness of the justice system, the evolving relationship between cryptocurrencies and law enforcement, and the broader implications of criminal sentencing in the digital age. While Ulbricht’s story is far from over, it’s clear that his release is not just a personal victory but also a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about justice, freedom, and second chances.

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