Trump Shatters Norms with Long-Awaited Pardon for Silk Road’s Ulbricht

President Donald Trump has officially pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road marketplace, after 12 years of imprisonment. Announcing the decision on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared the sentence “ridiculous” and expressed pride in honoring the Libertarian Movement that strongly backed his campaign.

“I just called the mother of Ross Ulbricht to let her know it was my pleasure to sign a full and unconditional pardon of her son,” Trump stated on Jan. 21.

Bitcoin Community Reacts to Ulbricht’s Pardon

Ulbricht’s release has reignited debate over his role in the early Bitcoin ecosystem. Silk Road, a pioneering darknet marketplace that facilitated payments using Bitcoin, helped the cryptocurrency gain prominence in its infancy. However, Ulbricht was convicted in 2015 on narcotics charges for his role in operating the site, which became infamous for enabling the sale of illegal drugs and other illicit goods. Prosecutors argued that Ulbricht earned millions in commissions from these transactions, making him a central figure in the platform’s operations.

While many argue Ulbricht’s actions contributed to Bitcoin’s adoption, others remain critical of his role in facilitating illegal activities.

Supporters have long called Ulbricht a “Bitcoin legend.” Bitcoin programmer Amir Taaki praised Ulbricht’s impact, writing, “Crypto became big because of him. He made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Ulbricht’s release is a symbolic win for Bitcoin advocates, who view him as a martyr for decentralization and freedom. 

Bitcoin’s Legacy Sees Renewed Interest

Ulbricht’s pardon has also sparked renewed interest in Bitcoin’s historical significance. During its early days, Silk Road brought Bitcoin into the spotlight, showcasing its potential for peer-to-peer transactions. 

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is sitting at $105,088.32.