In a landmark decision that’s stirring global debate, Ross Ulbricht — the creator of the Silk Road darknet marketplace — has been granted a full and unconditional pardon by former U.S. President Donald Trump. After serving over 11 years of a double life sentence plus 40 years, Ulbricht walked free from a federal prison in Arizona on January 21, 2025.
Ulbricht was convicted in 2015 for operating Silk Road, a site that allowed anonymous users to buy and sell illegal goods, particularly drugs, using Bitcoin. While he admitted to building the platform, he maintained it was rooted in libertarian ideals — emphasizing privacy, voluntary exchange, and limited government. Despite being a nonviolent, first-time offender, Ulbricht received one of the harshest sentences ever handed down for a digital crime. Many have argued this punishment was meant to make an example of him.
The campaign to free him, led by his family and supported by activists, privacy advocates, and technologists, gained immense traction over the years. The “Free Ross” movement helped gather over half a million signatures on a petition for clemency. Advocates pointed to legal inconsistencies, uncharged allegations used at sentencing, and the broader issues with mass incarceration in the United States.
Now, with Ross Ulbricht officially free, the conversation about his case has only intensified. His release has reignited public discourse around the future of internet freedom, privacy rights, and criminal justice reform in the digital age.
To read the full story about Ross Ulbricht, including the events leading to his pardon and what comes next, visit:
Ross Ulbricht Freed After 11 Years – Trump Grants Pardon to Silk Road Creator
For continued coverage of digital privacy, cryptocurrency cases, and developments across darknet markets, visit:
DeepDotOnion – Your Source for Darknet Market News
Ulbricht’s story is far from over, and whether one sees him as a symbol of injustice or a reckless digital pioneer, there’s no denying the profound impact this case has had on how we view freedom in the digital world.
