In an unexpected turn of events, Ross Ulbricht, founder of the infamous Silk Road marketplace, finds himself a free man after serving a portion of his double life sentence plus 40 years in U.S. federal prison. His release comes after a presidential pardon from the newly elected U.S. president. An act that has been met with praise from the crypto community.
Among those offering support and words of welcome is Charles Hoskinson, Cardano cofounder. In a post on Twitter, Hoskinson extended a hand to Ulbricht, saying, “Welcome home, Ross. We, as an industry, have your back. Whatever you need, we are here on your journey back to freedom.” This public declaration of support indicates the solidarity within the crypto community for Ulbricht and suggests potential assistance in his reintegration into society.
Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, Binance cofounder, also took to social media to celebrate Ulbricht’s release. He noted that the new president had kept his promise, a gesture appreciated by many who see it as a life-saving act for Ulbricht.
Ulbricht, 41, was imprisoned in 2013 for his role in the creation and operation of the Silk Road darknet marketplace. The charges against him were severe, including providing a platform for the free trade of illegal drugs, with Bitcoin as the primary currency. The Silk Road marketplace is often cited as the first and largest online platform to fully embrace Bitcoin as a payment method. This connection to the early days of Bitcoin has led many in the crypto community to view Ulbricht as a key figure in promoting Bitcoin adoption in broader society.
Ulbricht’s release has been welcomed by many in the industry, who viewed his possible life-long imprisonment as an excessive punishment. The campaign for his release has been ongoing for a decade; with his newfound freedom, advocates can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
As Ulbricht re-enters society and the world of crypto, it remains to be seen what role he will play. But with the backing of major industry figures like Hoskinson and CZ, one can presume that Ulbricht is set to make his mark on the crypto world once again. For now, the crypto community watches with anticipation, ready to offer support in whatever form it may be needed.
