President Donald Trump has yet to fulfill his campaign promise to pardon Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, a dark web marketplace shut down in 2013. During his re-election campaign, Trump pledged to commute Ulbricht’s sentence on his first day in office.
Elon Musk Fuels Pardon Speculation
After Trump’s recent election victory, speculation grew that he would pardon Ulbricht immediately. However, no action has been taken yet. Despite this, the topic remains widely discussed.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk and Libertarian National Committee Chair Angela McArdle have both commented on the potential pardon, suggesting it could still happen soon. McArdle, a strong advocate for Ulbricht, expressed confidence that Trump will keep his word.
Ulbricht’s Conviction and Support for Clemency
Ulbricht was convicted for operating Silk Road, which facilitated the sale of drugs and illicit goods using cryptocurrency. His case has attracted significant attention, with supporters arguing that his two life sentences without parole are too harsh.
Although an official pardon has yet to materialize, market predictions strongly suggest it might happen.
Prediction Markets Expect a Pardon
According to Polymarket, a prediction platform, there is a 93% chance that Trump will pardon Ulbricht within the first 100 days of his second term. Polymarket allows users to bet on real-world events by buying and selling shares.
Silk Road Bitcoin Seizure and Future Prospects
The FBI shut down Silk Road in 2013 and seized 69,370 Bitcoin, now valued at over $6 billion. Some speculated that Trump could use these funds to establish a national Bitcoin reserve. However, before leaving office, President Biden authorized their sale last month.
Conclusion
While Trump’s promise remains unfulfilled, speculation continues to build. With influential figures like Elon Musk weighing in, the possibility of clemency remains strong in the coming months.
