President Donald Trump granted a pardon to Silk Road marketplace founder Ross Ulbricht, a promise he made to the cryptocurrency industry during his campaign.

Until, of course, in 2013 the Silk Road was shut down by FBI agents and Mr Ulbricht, then 29 years old, was arrested in the science-fiction section of a San Francisco public library. In 2015, after a four-week trial,

Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht is free after President Donald Trump pardoned him. But who is he and what did he do?

Coinbase director Conor Grogan says Bitcoin wallets left behind by Ross Ulbricht when he was imprisoned for his underground online marketplace Silk Road are still holding tens of millions of dollars worth of BTC.

Ross Ulbricht’s full pardon by President Trump marks a monumental victory for Bitcoiners, symbolizing justice for a man who became a beacon for freedom and innovation. This long-awaited moment proves the power of persistence and reminds us to keep advocating for Bitcoin and freedom.

Technically, Donald Trump broke his campaign promise by not freeing Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht on day one of his presidency. (No, inauguration day is not “day zero.”) But as I explained in my previous Take, I wasn’t expecting a literal first day pardon anyways. Even day two exceeds my expectations. Trump delivered, and I’m very glad he did.

Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison in 2015 on charges related to his website, where users could buy and sell drugs and other illegal goods with bitcoin.

In 2015, a 31-year-old yoga enthusiast from Austin named Ross Ulbricht was found guilty of being the online drug kingpin “Dread Pirate Roberts.” Convicted on 7 counts, the judge sentenced him to life in prison. Trump pardoned Ulbricht on Tuesday and now he’s a free man after more than 10 years in custody.

When wielded responsibly, the presidential power to pardon and commute sentences is essential to right injustices. Controversy rightly arose after President Joe Biden, in his last minutes in

Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road darknet marketplace, remains a controversial figure in cryptocurrency history. While his role in revolutionising Bitcoin’s use has long been debated, recent developments have brought his name back into the spotlight.

President Trump's administration promises pro-crypto regulations, favorable taxation, and strategic Bitcoin reserves, signaling potential growth. Read more here.