Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has made a substantial donation of $111,111 in Bitcoin to support recently pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht through his official website freeross.org. The donation, announced on January 23 via X (formerly Twitter), represents one of the largest contributions to Ulbricht's cause.
The support comes after President Donald Trump granted Ulbricht an unconditional pardon, fulfilling a campaign promise made to libertarians and cryptocurrency advocates. Trump announced the decision on Truth Social, describing Ulbricht's original sentence as "ridiculous."
Adding intrigue to the situation, Coinbase executive Conor Grogan has identified approximately 430 Bitcoin spread across multiple wallets allegedly connected to Ulbricht. These wallets, untouched for over 13 years, currently hold an estimated value of $47 million. Questions remain about whether Ulbricht maintains access to these funds through the necessary private keys.
The cryptocurrency community watches with interest as these developments unfold, with any movement in the dormant wallets potentially providing clarity about their control. Meanwhile, Ulbricht's story continues to captivate audiences, with a documentary chronicling his journey scheduled for release in 2025.
The convergence of high-profile support, substantial donations, and mysterious Bitcoin wallets highlights the ongoing fascination with Ulbricht's case within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.