At the Bitcoin Conference 2024 in Nashville, former President Donald Trump made a significant announcement, pledging to commute Ross Ulbricht's sentence if he wins a second term.
He emphasized that this case would be a top priority from his first day in office.
Trump’s promise to pardon Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, imprisoned since 2013, received a warm reception from the conference attendees. Ulbricht has previously expressed gratitude for Trump’s support, hoping for a chance at freedom.
David Bailey, CEO of Bitcoin Magazine, had earlier stated that any presidential candidate looking for the crypto community’s support should commit to Ulbricht’s release. This sentiment was echoed by other political figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In his speech, Trump detailed an ambitious plan to establish the US as the leading nation in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.
His agenda includes firing SEC Chairman Gary Gensler within the first 100 days, launching Operation Chokepoint, and opposing the introduction of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). He also emphasized the importance of protecting individuals’ rights to self-custody of digital assets.
Trump proposed the creation of a unified Bitcoin vault, aiming to establish a Strategic National Bitcoin Reserve.
A major chapter in crypto’s legal reckoning closed this week as Alex Mashinsky, once a prominent name in digital lending, received a 12-year prison sentence.
Former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky is asking for a significantly reduced prison sentence ahead of his May 8 sentencing, with his legal team pushing back hard against the U.S. Department of Justice’s call for a 20-year term.
The legal battle against the creators of Samourai Wallet has taken a sharp turn, as defense attorneys accuse federal prosecutors of suppressing a key legal interpretation from the Treasury Department that could dismantle the core of the government’s case.
A decades-long Bitcoin holder has reportedly lost over $300 million in a devastating crypto theft — one of the largest in recent memory.