Former US President Donald Trump has promised to grant a presidential pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road darknet marketplace, if he secures victory in the upcoming November election.
“If you vote for me, on day one, I will commute the sentence of Ross Ulbricht,” he said at the Libertarian Party’s National Convention in Washington on May 25. “He’s already served 11 years, we’re going to get him home.”
Ulbricht, who founded the notorious Silk Road platform in 2011, was sentenced in 2015 to two consecutive life sentences plus an additional 40 years for his involvement in the illegal online marketplace. His website was accused of selling narcotics and other illegal products.
After Ulbricht’s arrest Silk Road was taken offline.
Trump Grows More Crypto-Friendly
The promise of a pardon is part of Trump’s broader appeal to the cryptocurrency community, as he seeks to highlight his newfound approach to digital assets.
In recent times, Trump has become more welcoming towards crypto and has even started accepting crypto donations for his campaign. He has pledged to foster a crypto-friendly environment within the US.
During his speech at the Libertarian Party’s National Convention, Trump also affirmed his support for the right to self-custody of cryptocurrencies, making a direct appeal to the nation’s 50 million crypto holders.
He said he remains committed to keeping Senator Elizabeth Warren and her associates away from Bitcoin, positioning himself as a defender of the crypto industry against excessive regulation.
The presidential candidate also vowed to end what he alleged was Joe Biden’s campaign against cryptocurrencies and expressed his intent to protect individuals involved in the crypto business from burdensome regulations.
This is surreal.
The leading Presidential candidate is explicitly saying he will make America the leader in bitcoin & crypto, while supporting the right to self-custody.
All the critics were wrong. The government won’t ban it, they’re embracing it.pic.twitter.com/XfvPu6C89m
— Pomp 🌪 (@APompliano) May 26, 2024
Trump Promises to Position US as Leader in Crypto
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump said he is determined to position the US as a global leader in the cryptocurrency field. He emphasized that the country must take the lead and asserted that there is no room for second place in this burgeoning industry.
“I am very positive and open minded to cryptocurrency companies, and all things related to this new and burgeoning industry. Our country must be the leader in the field,” said Trump.
Last week, Trump announced that he will now be accepting donations in cryptocurrency payments for his upcoming campaign trail.
EXPLORE: 14 New Cryptocurrency Launches to Invest in 2024
A recent survey conducted by leading crypto venture capital firm Paradigm reveals that Trump’s poll numbers for the 2024 US Presidential Election enjoy significant support from the crypto community.
The survey, which included 1,000 registered voters, found that 48% of crypto owners plan to vote for the former president, while 39% intend to vote for current U.S. President Joe Biden.
US election polls, conducted by Virginia-based Public Opinion Strategies between 28 February and 4 March, coincided with Bitcoin’s price surge from $58,000 to an all-time high of $68,000.
Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.
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