Former President Donald Trump has stated he is willing to review the case of Keonne Rodriguez, the co-founder of the Samourai Bitcoin wallet, who was sentenced last month to five years in prison for conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.
Trump comments on Rodriguez case
During an Oval Office event, Trump was asked by Decrypt about the possibility of granting clemency to Rodriguez.
He acknowledged awareness of the case, stating he would look into it:
“He said he was aware of the matter and would look into it.”
Background on Samourai prosecution
Rodriguez and fellow co-founder William Hill were arrested in April on charges of money laundering conspiracy and running an unlicensed money-transmitting business.
Rodriguez admitted to processing over $2 billion in bitcoin transactions, with some linked to dark web markets, and is set to begin his sentence on Friday.
Hill, meanwhile, received a four-year sentence.
Privacy advocates raise concerns
The prosecution has drawn criticism from privacy advocates who say it threatens the future of privacy-focused bitcoin development.
The case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over user privacy versus regulatory enforcement in the bitcoin space.
Implications for other developers
Supporters in the bitcoin community hope that a pardon for Rodriguez could set a precedent for similar cases, such as that of Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash.
Storm was convicted in August for operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, and advocates believe a positive outcome for Rodriguez might influence his situation as well.
