Donald Trump’s return to the White House has reignited a controversial discussion: could Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road marketplace, be released from prison? With Trump’s promise to free him during his campaign, the possibility of Ulbricht’s pardon is now sparking fresh debate. Ulbricht, who has served 11 years for his role in Silk Road, hinted at his potential release shortly after Trump’s election victory.
Will Trump follow through?
Elon Musk Comments on Ulbricht
Elon Musk has confirmed that Ulbricht’s sentence is expected to be commuted soon. Reports suggest that an official announcement could be made within 24 to 48 hours, adding to the growing anticipation.
Father, I’m hearing from the people that you need to put Ross Ulbricht’s pardon at the top of the executive order stack. pic.twitter.com/7YSf0hdgSD
Ulbricht, who hails from Texas, has served 11 years in prison. He was sentenced to life without parole for creating Silk Road, a marketplace known for illegal drug transactions. Trump had previously expressed interest in revisiting Ulbricht’s case, and it now seems his administration is preparing to act. Angela McArdle, chair of the Libertarian National Committee, has suggested that a pardon is imminent, a sentiment further fueled by Musk’s recent comments on X.
Although it remains unclear whether Trump will issue a formal pardon this month, rumors about Ulbricht’s release are spreading quickly. The situation is still uncertain, but the possibility of his freedom has captured the public’s attention.
Crypto Industry Has Mixed Reactions
Trump’s administration has yet to issue any executive orders focused on cryptocurrency, which has led to mixed reactions within the industry. Some, like the anonymous crypto account “Flood,” have expressed frustration over the lack of immediate action, while others, including analyst Miles Deutscher, have urged patience.
Deutscher pointed out reports suggesting that Trump’s administration might soon take steps to ease regulations for banks holding digital assets, indicating that progress could be on the horizon.
Ulbricht Remains a Controversial Figure
Ulbricht remains a polarizing figure. While some critics, including prosecutors, view him as a dangerous criminal mastermind, his supporters see him as a libertarian visionary who worked to make drug transactions safer.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has spoken out in favor of his release, arguing that life imprisonment for his actions is excessively harsh.
In a separate but noteworthy development, Trump-themed meme coins have faced significant challenges in the market. The Official Trump (TRUMP) coin dropped by 40%, and the Melania (MELANIA) token fell by 60% just one day after its launch. Critics, including billionaire Mark Cuban, have criticized these tokens as speculative and damaging to crypto’s reputation.
What’s Next?
As Trump’s administration begins, the focus remains on Ulbricht’s potential release and what steps will be taken to create a more crypto-friendly environment. Analyst VirtualBacon suggests that while changes may not be immediate, significant developments could be in the works.
For now, the crypto community is keeping a close eye on Trump’s next moves, hopeful for both Ulbricht’s release and favorable regulatory changes.
The post Will Donald Trump Release Silk Road’s Ulbricht from Prison? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Donald Trump’s return to the White House has reignited a controversial discussion: could Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road marketplace, be released from prison? With Trump’s promise to free him during his campaign, the possibility of Ulbricht’s pardon is now sparking fresh debate. Ulbricht, who has served 11 years for his role in …
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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By Nermeen Nabil Khear 
(@wirelyss) January 21, 2025
