Recent comments by Elon Musk have significantly increased the likelihood of a pardon for Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the infamous Silk Road. Following Musk’s affirmation on social media that “Ross will also be freed,” predictions on the Polymarket platform surged from 54% to an astonishing 95%. This surge reflects a growing public interest, with total betting on Ulbricht’s pardon reaching $51,367.
Could Trump Grant a Pardon Soon?
Additionally, bettors on Polymarket have set the chance of Ulbricht being pardoned within Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office at 97%. This prediction is supported by an impressive betting volume of $5 million, indicating strong belief in the potential outcome.
Ulbricht has been serving a life sentence since 2015 after his arrest in 2013 for his role in running the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace known for the sale of illegal goods using Bitcoin.
Is Support Increasing for Ulbricht?
Support for Ulbricht is on the rise, with over 600,000 signatures collected through the campaign at freeross.org advocating for his release. Many supporters argue that his punishment is disproportionate, and several Bitcoin enthusiasts resonate with the libertarian principles that Silk Road embodied.
- Musk’s statement has revitalized discussions around Ulbricht’s case.
- Trump previously expressed a willingness to consider Ulbricht’s pardon if re-elected.
- Ulbricht has distanced himself from any cryptocurrency initiatives using his name.
Musk’s remarks have provoked diverse reactions from Ulbricht’s supporters and the broader cryptocurrency community, yet the absence of any formal action from Trump leaves many uncertainties lingering in the air.