Ross Ulbricht to Be Freed After 12 Years Following Trump's Campaign Promise

Jan 18, 2025, 03:46 PM

Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace that facilitated illegal transactions using Bitcoin, is set to be released from prison after serving over 12 years. His release follows a campaign promise by U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated, 'On day one, I will commute the sentence of Ross Ulbricht.' Ulbricht was convicted in 2015 of charges including money laundering, computer hacking, and narcotics trafficking, and sentenced to life in prison. The Silk Road, launched in 2011, became notorious for enabling the anonymous trade of illicit goods using Bitcoin. Despite allegations of involvement in murder-for-hire plots, these charges were dropped, and Ulbricht's supporters have long argued that his sentence was excessive for non-violent offenses. The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications for digital privacy, cryptocurrency, and criminal justice reform.