President Donald Trump issued a full pardon on Tuesday evening to Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road.
The notorious dark web marketplace, which operated from 2011 to 2013, was a global hub for illegal drug sales. Federal prosecutors attributed at least six deaths to drugs sold through the platform.
Ulbricht, 40, had been serving a life sentence without parole since 2015, following his conviction on seven federal charges, including narcotics distribution and conspiracy to commit computer hacking.
Trump shared the news in a Truth Social post, writing, “I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbricht to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross.”
During its operation, Silk Road facilitated over $200 million in sales, primarily of contraband such as heroin. Transactions were conducted mainly in bitcoin, making the platform one of the first major use cases for cryptocurrency. Federal prosecutors argued that the anonymity provided by bitcoin was key to allowing vendors to conceal their identities.
Describing the case in his pardon announcement, Trump referred to the federal prosecutors as “scum,” tying them to his own legal battles. He added, “He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!”
Within the digital currency community, Ulbricht is regarded as a visionary who played a pivotal role in bitcoin’s early adoption. Recent years have seen growing support for campaigns to “Free Ross,” with rallies and online petitions advocating for his release.
Trump’s decision to court the crypto community during his 2024 presidential campaign created an opportunity for Ulbricht. After Trump’s victory in November, Ulbricht expressed gratitude in a post on X, dictated from prison to his wife: “Immense gratitude to everyone who voted for President Trump on my behalf.”
Trump’s decision came on the same day the SEC announced the formation of a dedicated cryptocurrency task force, led by Commissioner Hester Peirce, aimed at creating a clear and comprehensive regulatory framework.
These developments underscore a pivotal moment for the crypto industry, reflecting both its controversial origins and the ongoing efforts to shape a regulated and innovative future.
