Ross Ulbricht Released from Prison After Presidential Pardon
Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, received a full pardon from former President Donald Trump after serving nearly ten years of a life sentence for various crimes. The pardon, announced via Truth Social, sparked celebrations among supporters advocating for personal freedom and cryptocurrency, raising over $270,000 for Ulbricht's reintegration.
hassan benyoub 
January 22, 2025 – Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the notorious dark web marketplace Silk Road, has been granted a full and unconditional pardon by former President Donald Trump. This decision comes after Ulbricht served nearly ten years of a life sentence for multiple charges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and conspiracy.
Ulbricht was arrested in 2013 and convicted in 2015 on charges related to Silk Road, which became infamous for facilitating the sale of illegal goods and services, primarily using Bitcoin transactions. The platform was known for enabling the trade of drugs, weapons, and other illicit items, reportedly generating over $200 million in revenue from more than 1.5 million transactions. Prosecutors alleged that Ulbricht attempted to orchestrate murders to protect his business interests, although he was never formally charged with these crimes.
Trump announced the pardon on his social media platform, Truth Social, criticizing Ulbricht's lengthy sentence as "absurd" and labeling it a case of government overreach. The former president had previously indicated during his campaign that he would consider clemency for Ulbricht, appealing to libertarian supporters who viewed him as a political prisoner.
Following the news of Ulbricht's release, supporters celebrated the moment as a victory for personal freedom and cryptocurrency advocacy. A fundraising campaign launched to assist Ulbricht's reintegration into society has already raised over $270,000 in Bitcoin donations.
The Silk Road case remains a significant point of discussion regarding digital privacy, government regulation of online marketplaces, and the implications of cryptocurrency in illegal activities. With Ulbricht's release, debates surrounding his legacy and the future of similar platforms are expected to intensify.
