Ross Ulbricht is said to still have about 47 million USD Bitcoin

Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, has recently been pardoned, but the discovery of about 430 Bitcoin (BTC) related to him has sparked curiosity and debate in the cryptocurrency community. Blockchain researcher Conor Grogan revealed that these funds, currently valued at over $47 million, have not been touched for over 13 years, indicating that they were not seized by the US government during his arrest. Explore untouched wallets Grogan has shared his findings on X (formerly Twitter), identifying dozens of wallets associated with Ulbricht. He noted that these wallets might have been considered insignificant or “dust wallets” at the time, but have since accumulated significant value. Grogan declared: I found ~430 BTC in dozens of wallets related to Ross Ulbricht that the US Government did not seize and has remained quiet for over 13 years. Despite their existence, Grogan speculated that Ulbricht may not own the private keys to these wallets, explaining why neither he nor the government can access them. This revelation has sparked intense debates about the significance of these BTC holdings. Legal and ethical meaning The disclosure of these wallets has sparked debates about their usability. Some argue that Ulbricht cannot sell BTC even if he has access to them because they are proceeds from criminal activities. Others criticize Grogan for publicly revealing the information, believing that it could jeopardize privacy. However, Grogan has defended his actions, clarifying that these addresses were already public and cited in Ulbricht’s trial documents. Contrasting reactions to Ulbricht’s pardon order Former President Donald Trump’s pardon of Ross Ulbricht has received both praise and criticism. Supporters see this decision as a victory against excessive government intervention and an acknowledgment of an unfair sentence. Bitcoin advocate Ben Sigman celebrated the pardon, calling it a stance against unjust punishment. In a post on X, Sigman commented: This is not just a matter of Ross or the market, but also a matter of excessive government intervention and state power to oppress individuals with vague laws. Similarly, the first person to use Bitcoin, Jameson Loop, expressed gratitude to Trump, humorously granting him a “complete pardon for all past and future fraudulent activities.” On the other hand, critics argue that Ulbricht’s crimes, including facilitating illegal activities through Silk Road, deserve initial punishment. Some have raised concerns about the message his release sends related to accountability. Support and fundraise for Ulbricht Since being released, Ulbricht has received significant support. Over $130,000 has been donated through the Free Ross campaign to help him restart his life. A sponsor even contributed one BTC, while Strike launched a product line to honor him, with all proceeds after expenses being directly transferred to Ulbricht. Speculation and debate are ongoing The discovery of untouched wallets has led to speculation about their potential impact on Ulbricht’s future. While some members of the community continue to focus on supporting his reintegration into society, others are questioning the broader implications of the pardon and the legality of any actions related to the undiscovered BTC. The story of Ross Ulbricht continues to spark debates about justice, privacy, and the role of cryptocurrency in shaping the future of individual freedom and accountability. DYOR! #Write2Earn #Write&Earn $BTC {spot}(BTCUSDT)