Former U.S. President Donald Trump has fulfilled a campaign promise by granting clemency to Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the infamous dark web marketplace Silk Road. Ulbricht was arrested in 2013 and charged with facilitating the trade of illegal goods, including drugs, counterfeit documents, and malware. In 2015, a New York court sentenced him to two life terms plus 40 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

After spending over 11 years behind bars, Ulbricht is now set to be released thanks to Trump’s intervention. During his presidential campaign, Trump vowed to pardon Ulbricht if elected, calling his sentence “absurd” and criticizing the justice system’s handling of the case. Trump personally signed the order and even contacted Ulbricht’s mother to share the news.

Silk Road and Bitcoin Controversies

While Ulbricht’s fate is now sealed, questions remain about the fate of Bitcoin assets tied to Silk Road. The U.S. Department of Justice had previously seized 69,370 BTC (currently valued at approximately $7.3 billion) linked to Silk Road. Although reports earlier this month suggested the coins had been liquidated, it has since been confirmed that the funds remain in government-controlled wallets.

Speculation is rife that Trump could use these seized assets to create a Bitcoin reserve fund as part of his broader financial initiatives.

A Divisive Move

Trump’s decision to pardon Ulbricht has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters argue that the life sentences were excessive for a first-time, non-violent offender, while critics view the pardon as undermining justice in a high-profile case of cybercrime.

The pardon reignites debates over the role of cryptocurrency in facilitating illicit activities and the responsibilities of those who create and manage such platforms.