WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road marketplace.
Pardoned After a Decade in Prison
Ross Ulbricht, convicted for running an illegal online marketplace using bitcoin, was pardoned Tuesday. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2015.
Trump announced the pardon via his Truth Social account, calling it “full and unconditional.”
Breaking the News Personally
Trump personally called Ulbricht’s mother to share the news of his pardon. Ulbricht, 40, is incarcerated in Arizona.
“I hope this decision allows him to rebuild his life,” Trump said in his statement.
Landmark Case and Arrest
Ulbricht’s Silk Road marketplace was a global platform for over $200 million worth of illegal drug trades.
Prosecutors claimed the platform hosted over 100,000 users globally between 2011 and 2013 before authorities arrested him in 2013.
Authorities referred to the Silk Road as an unprecedented black market using cryptocurrency to facilitate illicit transactions.
A Promise Delivered
Trump’s pardon fulfills his earlier campaign promise to address what he called a misuse of governmental power.
He criticized the conviction process as being led by “scum” who, he claimed, also targeted him politically.
Legal Team Responds with Optimism
Ulbricht’s clemency lawyer, Brandon Sample, expressed optimism about Ulbricht’s imminent release.
“Ross has endured over a decade in prison. This offers him the chance to start anew,” Sample remarked.
A Shift in Cryptocurrency Policy
The decision signals a potential reversal in the U.S. government’s recent crackdown on cryptocurrencies during the Biden administration.
Trump had announced his intent to commute Ulbricht’s sentence in May at the Libertarian National Convention.
Support from Libertarian Advocates
The Libertarian Party, known for advocating drug legalization, supported Ulbricht’s release, citing government overreach.
The party labeled his conviction as emblematic of excessive prosecution against cryptocurrency innovations.
A New Chapter for Ulbricht
Trump’s pardon ends a contentious legal saga, giving Ulbricht the opportunity to reintegrate into society.
The decision has sparked renewed debate about justice, government authority, and cryptocurrency regulation.
