Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road and a key figure in Bitcoin's early history, has broken his silence following US President Donald Trump's full and unconditional pardon. Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht Speaks After Trump's Pardon: 'There's a Lot to Talk About' In a video posted on X, Ulbricht expressed his joy at being released after spending 11 years in prison. “This is a very important moment for me and my whole family. It's a very important moment for everyone who has worked for this for years. This is a victory and it's your victory too,” he said. Ulbricht, who was sentenced to multiple life sentences without parole for running the darknet marketplace Silk Road, stressed that his priority was to reunite with his loved ones. “I will be with my family for however long it takes so we can reconnect, be whole again and heal,” he said. “But there is so much to talk about and I look forward to reengaging with the free world. We will talk again when I am feeling better.” Earlier this week, Trump signed an executive order granting Ulbricht a full pardon, citing the Libertarian Movement's support as a key factor in his decision. “I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbricht and let her know that in her honor and in honor of the Libertarian Movement that has supported me so strongly, I am pleased to sign a full and unconditional pardon for her son Ross,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Ulbricht's case has been a major topic of debate in libertarian and cryptocurrency circles, with many advocating for his release over concerns about sentencing disparities and government overreach in prosecuting online markets. Launched in 2011, Silk Road was a darknet marketplace that facilitated transactions for a variety of goods, including drugs, using Bitcoin for payments. While the platform played a major role in popularizing cryptocurrency, it was eventually seized and shut down by US authorities in 2013. Ulbricht's convictions for money laundering, computer hacking and conspiracy to commit drug trafficking carried out two life sentences plus 40 years without parole, making his parole one of the most controversial in recent history. *Not investment advice. Continue Reading: Silk Road Creator Ross Ulbricht Breaks His Silence After Being Pardoned by Donald Trump! Here Are the Details
