The Ulbricht case still divides those who believe he deserved another chance and those who accuse him of dirtying the path of cryptocurrencies with illegal millions.
Millions of people know today The universe of cryptocurrencies, But few remember how this technology was marked by its darkest side. Silk Road, a hidden website where drugs and illegal services were marketed, used Bitcoin as the main method of payment and catapulted the fame of its creator: Ross Ulbricht.
From a promising youth to be the face of one of the largest black markets in InternetUlbricht knew how to convert his libertarian vision into a platform that moved millions in clandestine transactions. Its history, between ideology and illegality, marked a before and after in the history of Digital money.
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Ross Ulbricht’s story and how he used cryptocurrencies in the black market
Ross Ulbricht was born in Texas, within a well -off family and with a life that seemed aimed at academic success. It was Scout, physical and researcher, and even published scientific works on solar energy. But his rebel spirit pushed him towards thought libertarianinfluenced by ideas DE Ludwig von Mises and he anarchocapitalism.
That ideological inclination, added to a love break, led him to imagine a trade space where state intervention did not exist. Thus was born the idea of Silk Roada virtual market anonymous that combined the Tor network with payments in Bitcoinmaking it almost impossible to track operations.
The platform began operating in 2011 and grew by leaps and bounds. There everything was sold: drugs, false documents, jewels, books, software and more. The system was simple: the buyer paid with cryptocurrencies, Silk Road held the payment until the delivery confirmed, and then released the funds to the seller, charging a commission.
In the forums of the Deep web, Ulbricht became known as DREAD Pirate Robertsan identity inspired by a cult film. Under that pseudonym, he defended the idea of a market regulated by peer ethics, where products such as child pornography or hit services were prohibited. For many, Silk Road was more than an illegal trade website: it was a political and philosophical experiment.
Ulbricht was pardoned by Donald Trump
Ross Ulbricht’s story took an unexpected turn when Donald Trump He fulfilled one of his campaign promises and granted him the Presidential pardon. Sentenced in 2015 two perpetual chains plus 40 years, the creator of Silk Road had more than a decade after bars when the news of his release arrived.
Trump announced the pardon through his network Social truth And he called Ulbricht’s mother to give him the novelty. The community crypto He celebrated the decision, questioning the severity of the penalty imposed. With more than 600,000 Signatures collected at Change.org, the cause of Ulbricht became a symbol of struggle for digital freedoms.
Source: Ambito
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