According to U.Today, Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road darknet marketplace, recently took to the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, to extend Thanksgiving wishes to his followers. In his message, Ulbricht hinted at the possibility of his release from prison, expressing gratitude for the potential change in his circumstances. He stated, "We have a lot to be thankful for this year," suggesting optimism about his future.
Earlier in the week, Ulbricht tweeted about adjusting to the idea of being released soon, referencing a pledge made by a new U.S. political leader during their election campaign. The leader had promised to end Ulbricht's prison sentence upon taking office, arguing that the 11 years Ulbricht has already served is sufficient for his crimes. Ulbricht's message read, "I’m starting to get used to the reality that I could be home in a couple of months!"
The Silk Road, established in 2011, was a marketplace designed to facilitate trade without government oversight, using Bitcoin as the primary currency. However, it quickly became a hub for illegal activities, including drug and arms sales. The FBI shut down the platform in 2012, leading to Ulbricht's arrest and subsequent sentencing to two life terms in prison. As of September, Ulbricht has spent over 4,000 days incarcerated.
Throughout his imprisonment, Ulbricht has received significant support from the crypto community, which has been advocating for his release. Supporters have signed petitions and organized public campaigns to draw attention to his case, hoping for a reconsideration of his sentence in light of the recent political changes in the U.S.
