Ross Ulbricht Auctions Personal Items After Presidential Pardon

TLDR

• Ulbricht raised over $1.8 million from auctioned items.
• He received $31.4 million in Bitcoin donations post-release.
• Ulbricht will speak at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas.

Ross Ulbricht, the former founder of Silk Road, has recently been active in auctions involving his personal belongings. This follows a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, which led to his release earlier in 2023 after serving 12 years in prison. The auction generated significant attention within the Bitcoin community.

Items from the auction included Ulbricht’s belongings from both before his 2013 arrest and during his imprisonment. The items, sold through the Bitcoin platform Scarce City, raised over $1.8 million in Bitcoin. Notable items included his final prison ID card, a sleeping bag, and a backpack. The ID card reportedly fetched 5.5 BTC (approx. $576,280), although a conflicting report suggests it sold for 11 BTC, which was valued at over $1 million at the time.

Bitcoin Donations and Remaining Assets

Aside from auctions, Ulbricht received significant Bitcoin donations following his release. Reports indicate a substantial donation of $31.4 million in Bitcoin. Additionally, Coinbase director Conor Grogan disclosed that 430 BTC, valued at around $47 million, remain untouched in wallets linked to Ulbricht. These wallets are confirmed by Arkham Intelligence to be connected to Silk Road, with one holding over $9 million worth of Bitcoin.

These assets highlight Ulbricht’s continued influence and the ongoing interest in his activities within the cryptocurrency world.

Upcoming Public Appearance at Bitcoin 2025

Ulbricht is scheduled to make his first public appearance at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas. This event will mark his initial address to the Bitcoin community since receiving his pardon. Such appearances could provide insights into Ulbricht’s future endeavors and perspectives on cryptocurrency.

Ulbricht’s plans and views on cryptocurrency will likely be of considerable interest to conference attendees and the wider community. The event presents an opportunity for Ulbricht to share his experiences and vision for the future of blockchain and decentralized systems.