Ross Ulbricht Thanks Trump for Pardon, Calls It Life-Changing

Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road darknet marketplace, has spoken publicly for the first time since receiving a full pardon from President Donald Trump. After serving a double life sentence without parole, Ulbricht expressed deep gratitude for the chance to start anew. After more than 11 years behind bars, his release marks a significant turn in one of the most high-profile cases in internet history.

Ross Ulbricht Thanks Trump for Full Pardon

In a video shared on January 23, Ulbricht thanked Trump for granting him a full pardon, calling it a life-changing moment. He described the pardon as a blessing and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to rebuild his life. Ulbricht highlighted how this decision has given him hope and a chance to reunite with his family after over a decade in prison.

The announcement was met with a flurry of reactions from supporters who have long advocated for his release. The “Free Ross” campaign, a group dedicated to raising awareness about his case, shared emotional updates on social media. According to the campaign, Ulbricht has already been able to hug his family and begin adjusting to life outside prison.

Since his release, donations have poured in to support Ulbricht as he navigates life post-incarceration. A wallet linked to the Free Ross campaign has received over $270,000 in cryptocurrency contributions. Major donations included $111,111 from the crypto exchange Kraken and contributions in Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and other digital assets.

Supporters believe these funds will help Ulbricht rebuild his life and support his family. Despite these contributions, attention has turned to dormant Bitcoin wallets linked to Ulbricht, which reportedly contain millions of dollars in untouched cryptocurrency. Experts have noted that these wallets, inactive for over 13 years, remain tied to Silk Road transactions but were not confiscated by authorities.

Dormant Bitcoin Wallets Raise Questions

Crypto analysts have identified approximately 430 Bitcoin, worth $47 million, sitting in wallets potentially linked to Ulbricht. These wallets, untouched since Silk Road’s closure, have sparked speculation about their ownership and future use. Coinbase director Conor Grogan and Arkham Intelligence confirmed the existence of these wallets, with one containing over $9 million in Bitcoin.

Ulbricht has not publicly addressed these dormant funds, instead focusing on reuniting with loved ones and healing from his incarceration. In his statement, he emphasized the importance of freedom and second chances, calling his release a victory for those who believe in justice and reform.

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