In a bold move, President Donald Trump has pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, granting him freedom after over a decade in prison.

Ulbricht, known as “Dread Pirate Roberts,” was sentenced to life in 2015 for running the Bitcoin-powered platform, where users traded drugs and other illegal goods. Critics blame Silk Road for enabling crimes, including deaths from drug use, though Ulbricht always maintained his goal was to create a free-market space.

Trump announced the pardon on Truth Social, calling the life sentence “ridiculous” and claiming it was driven by political agendas. The move, celebrated by crypto advocates, aligns with Trump’s promise to support cryptocurrency deregulation, which has already fueled a Bitcoin price surge.

While some hail the decision as justice for an overzealous prosecution, others warn of the dangerous precedent it sets for cybercrime accountability. For Ulbricht, it’s a chance to start anew.

Learn more in… Shantal.net