Crypto & Blockchain Daily Brief Monday, May 27, 2024

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has made a pledge to grant clemency to Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the illicit online marketplace Silk Road, if he is re-elected in 2024. Ulbricht is currently serving a double life sentence plus 40 years without the possibility of parole for his role in operating the Silk Road, which facilitated the sale of drugs and other illegal goods using Bitcoin. Trump's pledge to pardon Ulbricht came during a recent interview where he expressed sympathy for Ulbricht's situation, stating that he believes the sentence imposed on him is unfair. Trump's willingness to consider clemency for Ulbricht is seen as part of his broader stance on criminal justice reform. Ulbricht's case has been a focal point for supporters who believe his sentence is excessive and that he has been treated unfairly by the criminal justice system. They argue that Ulbricht's punishment does not fit the crime and that his role as the creator of Silk Road does not warrant such a severe sentence. If Trump were to win re-election in 2024 and follow through on his pledge to grant clemency to Ulbricht, it would mark a significant development in the case and could have far-reaching implications for other individuals convicted of similar crimes involving cryptocurrencies and online marketplaces.