More than a decade after receiving a life sentence without parole, Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht took the stage at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas, delivering an emotional address filled with gratitude, disbelief, and a powerful call to action. Now a free man following a presidential pardon, Ulbricht’s appearance became one of the most memorable moments of the event.
Visibly moved, Ulbricht addressed a packed hall of supporters, recounting his years behind bars and the overwhelming feeling of freedom.
“Just a few months ago, I was trapped behind prison walls, uncertain if I’d ever get out,” he told the crowd.
“Now I’m free — and it’s because of you.”
He credited the Bitcoin community for their unwavering support—through letters, donations, and advocacy efforts.
Ulbricht likened his reentry into the world to waking from a decade-long time capsule.
“I had never seen a drone. I hadn’t used AI or tried virtual reality,” he said.
“Now it’s all hitting me — the freedom, the tech, and the fact that I have a future again.”
From Life Sentence to a Second Chance
In October 2013, Ross Ulbricht was arrested by the FBI for his role in Silk Road, a darknet marketplace that allowed users to anonymously trade goods—many of them illegal—using Bitcoin. The platform quickly became infamous and placed Ulbricht at the center of U.S. law enforcement’s efforts to clamp down on crypto-fueled online crime.
Ulbricht was ultimately convicted in 2015 of conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, and operating a continuing criminal enterprise, receiving two life sentences plus 40 years—without the possibility of parole.
The ruling sparked global outcry. Led by his mother, Lyn Ulbricht, the “Free Ross” campaign rallied libertarians, crypto advocates, and civil liberties groups who believed the sentence was excessive and symbolized a broader misunderstanding of emerging technologies.
A Change.org petition demanding clemency gathered over 600,000 signatures, turning the movement into a persistent call for justice that spanned more than a decade.
Trump’s Pardon and Ulbricht’s Call for Unity
In a pivotal move leading up to the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump pledged that, if elected, he would pardon Ross Ulbricht. That promise was fulfilled on January 21, 2025, when President Trump signed the order granting clemency, ending Ulbricht’s 11-year imprisonment.
At Bitcoin 2025, Ulbricht thanked both political allies and the crypto community for making his release possible. He praised Trump for honoring his campaign pledge, calling him “a man who honors his word.”
But Ulbricht’s message extended beyond personal gratitude. He used the spotlight to rally the crypto movement around its founding principles: freedom, decentralization, and unity.
“With so much speed and chaos, it’s more important than ever to stay true to our principles. It’s easy to lose sight when everything happens at once and countless things pull at your attention,” he said.
“Principles should be simple and few and today, I’ll mention three: freedom, decentralization, and unity. Remember those three.”
As applause erupted, it was clear that Ulbricht’s story—once a symbol of crypto’s dark past—was now being reframed as a moment of rebirth and reflection. His final message was simple but profound: his liberation should inspire a renewed sense of purpose across the digital asset world.
Quick Facts
- Ross Ulbricht made his first public appearance at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas.
- He was granted a presidential pardon by Donald Trump on January 21, 2025.
- Ulbricht had served 11 years in prison after receiving two life sentences plus 40 years.
- The “Free Ross” campaign gathered over 600,000 petition signatures.
- Ulbricht’s speech emphasized freedom, decentralization, and unity.
