Trump open to reviewing pardon for Samourai Bitcoin app developer

Key Takeaways

• Trump expressed willingness to consider a pardon for Samourai Wallet developer Keonne Rodriguez.
• The case highlights tensions between privacy-focused crypto development and government prosecution.

President Trump said on Monday that he would review the case of Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of the Samourai Bitcoin wallet, who was sentenced to five years in prison last month for conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.

Trump was asked by Decrypt during an afternoon event in the Oval Office about the possibility of granting clemency to Rodriguez. He said he was aware of the matter and would look into it.

Rodriguez and William Hill, who also co-founded Samourai Wallet, were taken into custody last April on allegations of money laundering conspiracy and running an unlicensed money-transmitting business.

Rodriguez admitted to processing over $2 billion in obscure Bitcoin transactions, some tied to dark web markets, and is set to begin serving his sentence on Friday. Meanwhile, Hill received a four-year sentence.

Critics argue the prosecution threatens the future of privacy-focused crypto development.

Members of the crypto community hope Rodriguez’s potential pardon could inspire a similar outcome for Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, who was convicted in August of running an unlicensed money-transmitting business.