Outside Source
The Silk Road founder’s financial status was unclear, but many crypto users have donated to his ”transition into his new life” since he received a presidential pardon.
News
People supporting Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht’s efforts to reintegrate into society after more than 11 years in prison have opened their crypto wallets.
According to blockchain data, a wallet operated by the Free Ross campaign has received more than $270,000 worth of Bitcoin (BTC) for “Ross’s transition into his new life” since the Silk Road founder received a pardon from US President Donald Trump on Jan. 21.
Crypto exchange Kraken reported contributing $111,111 to the fund. An Ether (ETH) wallet also showed roughly $2,400 in donations, $900 in Solana (SOL), $200 in Cardano (ADA) and smaller amounts in BNB (BNB) and Dogecoin (DOGE).
Ross Ulbricht shortly after his release from prison. Source: Instagram
Before Ulbricht’s release from prison, the Free Ross campaign solicited donations ”related to securing his freedom or criminal justice reform.” It’s unclear how much the group raised before Jan. 21 or how the funds will be used now that the Silk Road founder likely no longer requires legal aid.
Related: Does Ross Ulbricht’s pardon change the narrative of Bitcoin as a crime tool?
Ulbricht created and operated the Silk Road darknet marketplace from 2011 until his arrest in 2013. He was convicted of several felonies, sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in 2015, and remained behind bars until Trump pardoned him on Jan. 21.
This article first appeared at Cointelegraph.com News
