Ross Ulbricht: who is the “king of the darknet” and why was he sentenced to two life terms?

During the heyday of the crypto industry, it is not unusual for the community’s attention to be drawn not only to interesting projects but also to people. Thus, one of the most high-profile ones was the story of Ross Ulbricht, also known as Dread Pirate Roberts. Let’s understand what is the peculiarity of this figure and why he was called the “king of the darknet.”

Content:

• Who is Ross Ulbricht?
• Silk Road and Ross Ulbricht’s crimes: how was he arrested?
• How did the crypto community react to Ross Ulbricht’s arrest?
• Ross Ulbricht’s pardon
• What does the story of Ross Ulbricht and Silk Road teach us?

Who is Ross Ulbricht?

Ross Ulbricht is an individual who has become a symbol of the complex and often controversial nature of the modern Internet and cryptocurrencies.

He was born on March 27, 1984, in Austin, Texas. Ulbricht showed an interest in science and technology from an early age, studying physics and engineering at the University of Texas.

He later became known as the creator of Silk Road, the world’s largest cryptocurrency darknet marketplace. The idea for the platform came about in 2010 when there was a need for a safe and anonymous online environment for trading goods and services, including illegal ones.

Silk Road was a revolutionary project in the sense that it used bitcoin as the main currency for transactions, which predetermined its later popularity.

The platform operated as a marketplace where users could buy and sell all sorts of goods, from books and software to illegal substances and weapons, while maintaining anonymity. Silk Road came to symbolize the use of technology to circumvent traditional markets.

Source: investopedia

The philosophy of the free market and the protection of individual liberties was at the heart of Ulbricht’s vision. He believed that everyone should be able to make transactions without interference from the government or other third parties.

This vision attracted many users, and Silk Road quickly became one of the most well-known marketplaces on the darknet, in part due to its anonymity and ease of use.

When numerous media outlets picked up stories about the marketplace in mid-2011, interest grew and traffic increased exponentially. Silk Road remained an anonymous marketplace where both legitimate and highly illegal activity took place until 2013. The website was used by over 100 000 users who bought and sold $200 million worth of illegal goods and services.

Silk Road and Ross Ulbricht’s crimes: how was he arrested?

The crime for which Ross Ulbricht was convicted is related to the creation and management of Silk Road. Since the platform allowed transactions with illicit goods, it attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies.

In 2013, the FBI launched an investigation into Silk Road and soon got on Ulbricht’s trail. Ulbricht himself made no secret of his involvement, and his accounts on various forums, including Reddit, were linked to Silk Road.

Ross Ulbricht’s arrest occurred on October 1, 2013, at a library in San Francisco. He was reportedly seized literally on the spot with his laptop while under surveillance by FBI agents. Several pieces of evidence played a role in his arrest, including chats and emails that led to his identification as the creator of Silk Road.

In May 2015, Ulbricht was sentenced to 2 life sentences and another 40 years without parole, a shocking decision for many, both his supporters and opponents. Manhattan District Attorney Preet Bharara described Ulbricht’s arrest this way:

“Make no mistake: Ulbricht was a drug dealer and criminal profiteer who exploited people’s addictions and contributed to the deaths of at least six young people. Ulbricht went from hiding his cybercrime identity to becoming the face of cybercrime and as today’s sentence proves, no one is above the law.”

In addition to the sentence, authorities seized $183,9 million from the defendant.

During his time in prison, Ulbricht attempted to appeal, but in May 2017, the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied his appeal. Also in 2017, the prisoner appealed to the Supreme Court. His attorneys argued that the case involved unresolved constitutional issues. However, in June 2018, the court declined to hear Ross’ case.

Since Ulbricht’s imprisonment, more than 570 000 people have signed an online petition created by Lyn Ulbricht, Ross’ mother, asking that his double life sentence be commuted.

How did the crypto community react to Ross Ulbricht’s arrest?

The arrest of Ross Ulbricht caused a wide resonance in the crypto sphere and beyond. Many cryptocurrency users and advocates of personal freedoms saw it as a confirmation of their philosophy that the government will attempt to control technology and limit the personal freedoms of citizens, even if it means fighting crime.

Ulbricht’s supporters argued that his accusations were greatly exaggerated and that he was a victim of a system that fears new technology and the opportunities presented by cryptocurrencies. For example, entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said:“Yeah, so look, I have studied up on his case … I think there was a lot in that case that smelled rotten to me, including the initial supposed allegations of murder for hire, but which the government didn’t actually charge in the end … The guy has served 10 years … I think that he also deserves a commutation of sentence.”

Source: The New York Times

Some people in the crypto sphere, including prominent entrepreneurs and activists, have begun to form campaigns in Ulbricht’s defense. They used social media and platforms to raise funds for his legal defense and raise awareness of his case.

Ulbricht’s case also brought attention to broader issues of online security and privacy. Discussions about his case have raised questions about how technologies such as blockchain can be used for legal and illegal purposes, as well as how authorities can influence these technologies.

Ross Ulbricht’s pardon

Since Ross Ulbricht’s arrest, his supporters have continually appealed to the government for clemency. Over the years, they have collected signatures and actively participated in public campaigns for his release. Public opinion of his case fluctuated: some saw him as a symbol of the struggle for freedom, while others condemned his actions for their negative impact on society.

In late 2020, ahead of the end of his presidential term, then-US President Donald Trump came under pressure from Ulbricht’s supporters and some prominent cryptocurrency activists.

However, Ross Ulbricht’s release did not happen. Despite all efforts, many factors, including his role in running Silk Road and allegations of more serious crimes, stopped authorities from reviewing his case. Overall, his case continues to be relevant and debated among cryptocurrency activists, researchers, and supporters.

However, in 2024, Trump said in one of his campaign promises that he would sign an executive order pardoning Ross if libertarian voters supported his candidacy during the election. That’s what happened: one of the executive orders that went into effect shortly after the inauguration was an executive order pardoning Ulbricht. Trump noted that he immediately called the convict’s mother and informed her of his release.

Source: truthsocial

Some experts believe there may be a larger debate in the future about the role of technology in changing perceptions of freedom and control.

What does the story of Ross Ulbricht and Silk Road teach us?

Ross Ulbricht has become an iconic figure in the history of cryptocurrencies and Internet technology. His arrest has come to symbolize the conflict between state control and individual freedom in the digital space. Despite the negative aspects of his activities, his case brought attention to important questions about rights and freedoms in the digital age.

At the same time, the exploitation of the platform for illegal purposes has highlighted the negative aspects of unregulated systems. Ulbricht’s case highlights the importance of striking a balance: innovative approaches must be encouraged without ignoring the risks associated with them.

For many people, his pardon is evidence that the punishment should fit the crime committed, especially when technology advances faster than legal frameworks can adapt.