Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht to Speak Publicly After 11 Years in Prison
Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road, will make his first public appearance as a featured speaker at a major Bitcoin conference in Las Vegas.
Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, recently pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump after serving 11 years in prison, is preparing to reenter the crypto scene in person.
He will speak at the high-profile Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas, an event that brings together experts and industry leaders each year to explore the future of digital currencies and regulatory issues.
The announcement has sparked reactions across the crypto world, drawing interest from critics and supporters alike, since Ulbricht’s story remains closely tied to the early evolution of Bitcoin.
Related: Ross Ulbricht Thanks Donald Trump in a Video Message
First Public Appearance After Release
Ross Ulbricht has officially confirmed that he will speak at the upcoming conference.
It's official. I am excited to announce that I will be making my first public appearance and speech since my release from prison at @TheBitcoinConf in Las Vegas!
he wrote in a post on X.
Ulbricht received a presidential pardon in January 2025, ending a prison term that began with his 2013 arrest in a San Francisco library. According to investigators, Silk Road handled a large volume of Bitcoin transactions during its operation. Authorities estimated around $13 million in commission earnings and more than $33 million in seized assets.
His story sparked ongoing debate about how to balance technological progress with legal oversight and fair punishment for cyber-related crimes.
Related: Ross Ulbricht Took on DeFi — And Lost $12 Million
The Legacy of Silk Road and the Future of Crypto
Ross Ulbricht ran Silk Road under the alias Dread Pirate Roberts. The platform operated on the Tor network in the dark web, allowing users to buy a wide range of illegal goods using cryptocurrency.
Despite the criminal charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and cybercrime, the platform’s existence sparked a broad debate about the role of decentralized technologies in modern society.
The Bitcoin Conference will serve as a meeting point for a wide range of participants—from law enforcement officials to advocates of digital freedom.
Experts note that Ross Ulbricht’s appearance at such a major event could spark fresh debate on the need to rethink crypto regulation. Moreover, members of the crypto community believe that Ulbricht’s experience offers valuable insight into the historical impact of digital currencies on the economy and legal systems.
Set to take place in late May, the conference aims to foster meaningful dialogue between industry leaders and public institutions. With someone of Ulbricht’s stature involved, the event is expected to deliver valuable insights into the legal changes needed to support emerging financial technologies. Furthermore, it will likely raise important conversations around innovation and security in the crypto space.
Related: Ross Ulbricht to Tell His Story In a Film Expected in 2025
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