In a historic decision made by the President, Donald Trump has granted a full and unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht, founder of the infamous Silk Road dark web marketplace, raising debates over his release and for clemency appeal to early Bitcoin advocate Roger Ver, who himself is facing legal troubles.
Trump Pardons Silk Road Creator
On January 22, 2025, Trump granted a pardon to Ross Ulbricht, who since 2015 had been serving a life sentence for his involvement in the creation and operation of the Silk Road. The 2013 case against him was shut down by the federal authorities for operating a platform for the anonymous transactions of illicit goods and services via Bitcoin. Ross Ulbricht was convicted of numerous offenses including drug trafficking, money laundering, and computer hacking.
On Truth Social, Trump stated, “I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbricht to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross”; he also denounced those involved in the conviction of Ulbricht, calling the sentence “ridiculous.”
Roger Ver’s Plea in Support of Ross Ulbricht Post-Release
Immediately after his release, all focus for Ulbricht is directed to Roger Ver, proponent and renowned figure in the Bitcoin community as “Bitcoin Jesus.” He was arrested in Spain in April 2024 for tax evasion after U.S. authorities accused Ver of underreporting his capital gains from Bitcoin sales in 2014. If convicted and extradited to the U.S., he faces the prospect of serving about 109 years in prison.
Ulbricht’s support for Ver was voiced through a social media statement, in which he said: “Roger Ver was there for me when I was down and needed help. Now Roger needs our support.” He argued that “no one should spend the rest of their life in prison over taxes” and sort of encouraged Ver should be allowed to pay any taxes owed and move on.
The Charges Against Roger Ver
Roger Ver’s trouble with the law has arisen from allegations of an improper exit tax that he made after voluntarily renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2014. Prosecutors argue that Ver did not report much capital gain he realized from Bitcoin transactions and also did not put the right value of the two companies during the renunciation. Specifically, he concealed 131,000 Bitcoins then, worth almost $240 million at sale in 2017, leading to a tax shortfall of $48 million against the IRS.
Ver has refuted these claims and indicated that accurate reporting of assets was difficult considering those emerging and illiquid markets themselves at that time. According to attorneys representing him, these exit tax laws are unconstitutionally vague and Ver sincerely tried to comply with tax obligations given what was available then regarding information and resources.
Community Support and Advocacy
The cryptocurrency community has rallied behind Ver, drawing parallels between his situation and Ulbricht’s. Advocates highlight Ver’s contributions to the early adoption and promotion of Bitcoin, noting his investments in startups like BitPay and Kraken. However, Ver’s outspoken support for Bitcoin Cash during the “Blocksize Wars” led to divisions within the community, affecting the unanimity of support for his cause.
Prominent figures have voiced their support for Ver. Elon Musk, in response to inquiries about Ver’s situation, stated, “Will inquire,” indicating potential interest in the matter. Additionally, Naomi Brockwell of the Ludlow Institute and Angela McArdle, chair of the Libertarian National Committee, have publicly advocated for Ver’s pardon.
Looking Ahead
The momentum generated by Ulbricht’s pardon has intensified discussions about the fairness and proportionality of sentences related to cryptocurrency and digital asset cases. Supporters of Ver argue that his prosecution exemplifies governmental overreach in regulating the burgeoning crypto industry. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome of Ver’s case could set significant precedents for how cryptocurrency-related offenses are addressed in the future.
In the meantime, campaigns advocating for Ver’s release are gaining traction, with petitions and informational websites aiming to raise awareness about his legal battle. The intersection of cryptocurrency, legal frameworks, and individual rights remains a contentious and evolving landscape, with the cases of Ulbricht and Ver at its forefront.
