Ross Ulbricht Makes First Appearance Since Release, Calls for ‘Freedom, Decentralization, Unity’

Ross Ulbricht returned to the public eye on Thursday, stepping onto the stage at the Bitcoin 2025 conference just months after being released from prison. The founder of Silk Road, once sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years without parole, spoke about freedom, decentralization, and unity. He urged the crypto community to hold onto these principles as the world moves faster than ever.

WELCOME HOME, ROSS 🙌 pic.twitter.com/fQ7D56vJXO

— The Bitcoin Conference (@TheBitcoinConf) May 30, 2025

Ulbricht had spent over a decade behind bars, uncertain if he’ll ever walk free again. He stood before a crowd that had supported him throughout the years, reflecting on how much had changed. From AI to drones to virtual reality, he said, re-entering the world felt like stepping into the future all at once.

From Life Sentence to Pardon

Ulbricht was arrested in 2013 for creating and running Silk Road, a dark web marketplace where people bought and sold goods using Bitcoin. In 2015, he was handed a severe sentence that sparked a global backlash.

Over the years, his mother, Lyn Ulbricht, became the face of the Free Ross campaign, which gathered more than 600,000 signatures in support of his release. The turning point came in early 2025 when President Donald Trump granted him a full pardon. Trump had promised to do so during his 2024 campaign, winning favor among Bitcoin supporters who had long viewed Ulbricht’s punishment as too harsh.

Ulbricht Calls for ‘Freedom, Decentralization, Unity’

Back on stage, Ulbricht didn’t dwell on the past. Instead, he looked ahead and encouraged the crypto community to stay grounded in its roots. With so much noise, hype, and innovation happening all at once, he said it is easy to lose focus. For this reason, he emphasized keeping things simple and staying true to the values that built the movement.

He closed with a broader message, calling for unity not just among Bitcoiners but across the entire crypto space. Division, he warned, only benefits those who aim to control or undermine decentralized systems. The message was clear and emphasized that the fight for freedom is ongoing and requires collective strength.

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