The move comes after Trump called Ulbricht’s lengthy prison term ‘ridiculous’
President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road darknet marketplace, fulfilling a promise made during his campaign. Many people who have been aware of the issue seem to agree with this recent move by the new president.
The announcement was made yesterday through Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he shared that he had personally informed Ulbricht’s mother of the decision. Trump described the original sentence of two life terms plus 40 years as “ridiculous” and emphasized the influence of the Libertarian Movement in his decision.
Ulbricht, arrested in 2013 and sentenced in 2015, had been serving a life sentence without parole for his role in running Silk Road, a marketplace that facilitated the anonymous exchange of goods, including illegal substances, using Bitcoin. Trump’s campaign had previously pledged to pardon Ulbricht on his first day in office if reelected, a promise that many in the cryptocurrency community had been eager to see fulfilled.
Some had expressed disappointment when Trump initially focused on pardoning individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack rather than addressing Ulbricht’s case.
Support for Ulbricht’s release has come from various quarters, including libertarian circles and parts of the crypto community. Critics of the harsh sentence argued that Ulbricht’s punishment was disproportionate compared to other Silk Road participants, some of whom received much lighter sentences for significant illegal activities. Senator Rand Paul also urged Trump to consider clemency shortly before the pardon was granted.
Ulbricht remains a controversial figure in the cryptocurrency space. Supporters view him as a pioneer who helped propel Bitcoin into the spotlight, while others remain critical of his role in facilitating illegal trade. Despite his imprisonment, Ulbricht has remained active in the crypto discussion, sharing his perspectives on digital currencies and warning against scams in the industry.

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