In anticipation of the United States' 250th birthday on July 4, former President Donald Trump is reportedly contemplating a staggering 250 pardons. This monumental decision aims to commemorate the nation's semiquincentennial anniversary with a significant gesture of clemency.
Crypto Founders Among Those Seeking Clemency
A notable group advocating for pardons includes several crypto founders linked to high-profile cases such as FTX, Tornado Cash, and Samourai Wallet. One prominent voice in this movement is Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, who currently serves a 25-year sentence after being convicted on multiple charges related to his cryptocurrency exchange's collapse in 2024. Despite his extensive social media campaign seeking presidential forgiveness, sources indicate that Trump has previously ruled out a pardon for Bankman-Fried.
Attached to this conversation is Keonne Rodriguez, a developer connected to the Samourai Wallet crypto-mixing protocol, who has openly expressed hopes for pardon consideration. Trump has remarked on reviewing Rodriguez's case, noting the potential for clemency.
Petitions Gaining Momentum
As of now, more than 16,000 formal requests for pardons have been submitted, highlighting the demand for clemency across various sectors. Additionally, Rodriguez’s case has spurred a petition that has garnered over 16,000 signatures. Meanwhile, two petitions are currently circulating for Tornado Cash founders Roman Storm and Roman Semenov, although these have received minimal support so far.
- Roman Storm: Convicted of running an unlicensed money transmission service, facing additional charges including money laundering.
- Roman Semenov: Currently wanted by the FBI and considered to be on the run.
Previous Pardons in the Crypto Sector
Several individuals in the crypto industry have already benefited from presidential pardons during Trump's tenure. Last year, high-profile figures such as Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo, and Samuel Reed, co-founders of the crypto exchange BitMEX, were granted pardons after pleading guilty to violating anti-money laundering laws.
Additionally, controversial deals were made for Binance founder Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao, who received a pardon after serving time for similar regulatory violations. The case of Ross Ulbricht, the Silk Road founder, was another significant pardon action taken by Trump in early 2025.
Looking Forward
An official announcement regarding the potential 250 pardons is expected to be made soon, possibly coinciding with Trump's birthday on June 14 or during the July 4 Independence Day festivities. As the nation prepares for this historic milestone, the discussions surrounding these pardons could reshape the lives of many involved in the cryptocurrency space.
For ongoing updates on this evolving story and to find out who may receive clemency, stay tuned.
Source: Cointelegraph
