Ross Ulbricht, the 40-year-old founder of the infamous Silk Road marketplace, has publicly expressed his gratitude to former U.S. President Donald Trump after being granted a full pardon . Ulbricht, who had been serving a double life sentence without parole since 2015, shared his thoughts in a heartfelt video posted on X on January 23. “Last night, Donald Trump granted me a full pardon,” Ulbricht stated. “I was doing life without parole, locked up for over 11 years. But he let me out. I’m a free man now. So let it be known that Donald Trump is a man of his word.” Calling the pardon “an amazing blessing,” Ulbricht thanked Trump for restoring his life and future. His family echoed his gratitude, with the Free Ross campaign sharing emotional updates about their reunion. “Ross got to hug his wife, mom, dad, and sister outside the prison walls. The past 36 hours have been a whirlwind, and we keep pinching ourselves to make sure we’re not dreaming,” they wrote. Support Pours In After Release Ulbricht, known for creating Silk Road—a darknet marketplace that facilitated the trade of illicit goods using Bitcoin—has received overwhelming support since his release. A cryptocurrency wallet linked to the Free Ross campaign has received over $270,000 in donations, including a notable contribution of $111,111 from crypto exchange Kraken . Additional donations include $2,400 in Ether, $900 in Solana, and smaller contributions in other cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin. “It feels amazing to be free, to say the least,” Ulbricht said, sharing plans to spend time with his family and heal from his years of incarceration. “This is a victory for everyone who values freedom and believes in second chances.” Untouched Bitcoin Worth Millions Amid the celebrations, questions linger about Ulbricht’s dormant Bitcoin holdings. Conor Grogan, a director at Coinbase, revealed that approximately 430 BTC, valued at $47 million, remain untouched in wallets linked to Ulbricht. These wallets, dormant for over 13 years, were not seized by authorities during his conviction. Arkham Intelligence supported Grogan’s claims, identifying 14 Bitcoin addresses associated with Silk Road. One of these wallets alone holds more than $9 million in BTC. While supporters rally around Ulbricht, his unspent Bitcoin could further bolster his transition into life after prison. For now, Ulbricht’s focus is on reconnecting with his family and rebuilding his life, but his story continues to stir debate over freedom, justice, and the impact of cryptocurrency on society. The post Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht Thanks Trump, Faces Life Beyond Bars appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .
