#Trump Pardons Silk Road Founder#
Hot Topic Overview
Overview
President Trump has signed an order granting a pardon to Ross William Ulbricht, the founder of the dark web marketplace Silk Road, fulfilling a promise he made during his campaign. Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes including running a continuing criminal enterprise and distributing narcotics. In pardoning Ulbricht, Trump said he was doing so in honor of Ulbricht’s mother and in support of the libertarian movement. The news sent the price of Bitcoin soaring, possibly because the pardon and a series of executive orders Trump issued in the past few hours indicated that he intends to follow through on campaign promises, including a more friendly stance on cryptocurrency regulation. Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son, also expressed support for the pardon, saying that Trump finally delivered on more of his promises.
Ace Hot Topic Analysis
Analysis
President Trump has pardoned Ross William Ulbricht, the founder of the dark web marketplace Silk Road, a move that has sparked widespread attention. Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison without parole for running Silk Road, convicted of charges including continuing criminal enterprise and drug distribution. Trump had promised during his campaign to commute Ulbricht's sentence, and ultimately made good on that promise. Ulbricht's case has stirred controversy within the cryptocurrency community, with many arguing that he was simply operating a platform and not directly involved in drug trafficking. Trump's pardon order led to a surge in the price of Bitcoin, indicating a positive market sentiment toward the Trump administration's policies, including a friendly stance toward cryptocurrency regulation. Trump's eldest son also expressed his support for the pardon, calling it "keeping a promise."
Public Sentiment · Discussion Word Cloud
Public Sentiment
Discussion Word Cloud
Classic Views
Trump fulfilled his campaign promise by pardoning Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, a significant event for the cryptocurrency community.
Ulbricht was seen as merely operating a platform, not actually selling drugs, thus his case garnered attention from the cryptocurrency community.
Trump's pardon could indicate a more friendly cryptocurrency regulatory stance, including the potential for establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve.
Donald Trump Jr., Trump's eldest son, supported the decision, believing that Trump ultimately fulfilled more promises.