Key Takeaways
- Trump expressed willingness to contemplate a pardon for Samourai Pockets developer Keonne Rodriguez.
- The case highlights tensions between privacy-focused crypto growth and authorities prosecution.
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President Trump stated on Monday that he would overview the case of Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of the Samourai Bitcoin pockets, who was sentenced to 5 years in jail final month for conspiracy to function an unlicensed cash transmitting enterprise.
Trump was requested by Decrypt throughout a day occasion within the Oval Workplace about the opportunity of granting clemency to Rodriguez. He stated he was conscious of the matter and would look into it.
Rodriguez and William Hill, who additionally co-founded Samourai Pockets, have been taken into custody final April on allegations of cash laundering conspiracy and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting enterprise.
Rodriguez admitted to processing over $2 billion in obscure Bitcoin transactions, some tied to darkish net markets, and is about to start serving his sentence on Friday. In the meantime, Hill acquired a four-year sentence.
Critics argue the prosecution threatens the way forward for privacy-focused crypto growth.
Members of the crypto neighborhood hope Rodriguez’s potential pardon may encourage the same consequence for Roman Storm, co-founder of Twister Money, who was convicted in August of operating an unlicensed money-transmitting enterprise.
