300 BTC to Ross Ulbricht's wallet: the secret of a generous donation
Date: 2025-06-02 Author: Oliver Abernathy Categories: CRYPTO PAYMENTS
Heated discussions began immediately after the transaction appeared on the network. Some commentators believe that this was Ulbricht's way of thanking a long-time buyer from the Silk Road platform, while others are sure that this is a gesture of support from an anonymous crypto enthusiast who appreciates the entrepreneur's contribution to the development of the cryptocurrency sphere. However, not all interpretations were so positive.
Robert Clark, co-founder of Satflow, suggested that Ulbricht could have transferred these funds to his own address, using them as a tool for legalizing hidden assets that had not previously been confiscated. This hypothesis was supported by other participants in the discussion.
The topic of privacy in the blockchain was not ignored either. One Monero supporter noted: “I’m happy for it, but the fact that everyone can see your finances is one of the main problems with Bitcoin. It’s scary and unsafe.”
Recall that in January 2025, Donald Trump, who was again in office, signed an executive order granting Ulbricht a full pardon. This promise became one of the key points of his election platform. The release took place after 11 years in prison. In 2015, the court found Ulbricht guilty of creating a criminal community, organizing drug trafficking, hacking and money laundering. He received two life sentences without the possibility of parole.
After his release from prison, Coinbase Chief Product Officer Conor Grogan reported 430 BTC stored in multiple wallets allegedly linked to Ulbricht. These assets had not moved for more than 13 years and were not related to the previously confiscated 174,000 BTC belonging to Silk Road.
On May 29, the online auction of the former prisoner's personal belongings on the Scarce City platform ended. About $1.8 million was collected in bitcoins. Among the lots were his prison IDs, notebook, lock, clothes, and even paintings created in prison.
Ulbricht himself commented on his new life with the words: "I left Arizona - the place where I spent so many years. Now is the time to move on. I don't need reminders, but maybe someone else does."
Speaking at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas, he voiced his philosophy of the future: freedom, decentralization, and unity.
