October 29, 2025 | 16:34President Donald Trump’s October 21 pardon of former Binance executive Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao represents the latest escalation in a controversial pattern of clemency for convicted cryptocurrency industry figures. This marks the sixth major crypto pardon since Trump took office, fulfilling his campaign promise to reverse course on crypto enforcement policies while citing ‘lawfare’ from the Biden administration as justification. The growing list of beneficiaries now includes Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht and four BitMEX executives, signaling a fundamental shift in federal approach to cryptocurrency regulation and enforcement that has encouraged other imprisoned figures like former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried to seek similar relief.
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Bitcoin’s Dark History: Silk Road & Mt. Gox Exposed
Jake Adelstein’s new book ‘The Devil Takes Bitcoin’ explores the dramatic collapse of Mt. Gox and the takedown of Silk Road, revealing how these controversial events paradoxically shaped Bitcoin’s trajectory toward mainstream adoption. The investigative journalist presents the provocative thesis that cryptocurrency’s criminal origins, much like how the porn industry drove internet adoption, ultimately propelled Bitcoin to its current position in the financial landscape.
read moreRoger Ver’s $48M DOJ Tax Deal in Trump Crypto Era
Crypto entrepreneur Roger Ver has reached a $48 million settlement with the Department of Justice to resolve his tax evasion case, marking another significant development in the Trump administration’s dialed-down cryptocurrency enforcement approach. The deal, which drops charges of mail fraud, tax evasion, and filing false tax returns, comes amid a broader regulatory shift that has seen investigations into major crypto firms dropped and crypto-friendly figures appointed to key federal agencies.
read moreRoss Ulbricht Corrects Kamala Harris on Silk Road Claims
Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road marketplace, has forcefully challenged Vice President Kamala Harris’s characterization of him as a ‘fentanyl dealer’ in her new book, calling the claim factually inaccurate and politically motivated. Ulbricht clarified that he was never personally prosecuted for drug dealing and that fentanyl wasn’t among his charges, highlighting how his case continues to fuel political tensions around cryptocurrency regulation and presidential pardons.
read moreCharlie Shrem Auctions Silk Road & Bitcoin Memorabilia
On the 10-year anniversary of his early release from federal prison, Charlie Shrem—co-founder of the Bitcoin Foundation and former CEO of BitInstant—announced an auction of 12 items connected to his guilty plea in the Silk Road case. The collection, hosted on Scarce City marketplace, features a journal from his 2014-2015 incarceration, a Bitcoin ring, and the inaugural May 2012 issue of Bitcoin Magazine. Shrem framed the auction as a way to share tangible pieces of Bitcoin’s early history, referring to the items as both personal scars and emblematic of the movement’s initial momentum. The sale offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of crypto’s pioneering era and its legal challenges.
read moreSamourai Wallet Founders Plead Guilty in $100M Laundering Case
The co-founders of Samourai Wallet, Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, reversed their plea to guilty in a federal case accusing them of money laundering conspiracy and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. Prosecutors claim their Bitcoin mixer processed $2 billion in illicit transactions, including $100 million tied to criminal activities like Silk Road. The DOJ argues features like Whirlpool and Ricochet were designed to obscure transaction trails, with evidence showing the founders marketed these privacy tools knowing their criminal use. Despite attempts to dismiss charges citing FinCEN communications and a DOJ policy memo, the case proceeded. This follows similar actions against Tornado Cash, raising concerns about legal precedent for open-source crypto developers. Critics warn such cases could stifle innovation by holding creators liable for how autonomous tools are used.
read moreAncient Whale Moves 306 Bitcoin After Decade-Long Hibernation
A Bitcoin wallet containing 306 BTC, untouched since 2013, was emptied on Friday as Bitcoin’s price fell to a three-week low. Initially funded when Bitcoin was valued at around $75, the wallet’s holdings surged to $34.8 million, reflecting a 152,300% increase. The funds were split between two new wallets, with no immediate signs of being sent to an exchange. This event follows similar large-scale movements, including a $4.7 billion transfer to Galaxy Digital earlier this month. Analysts warn that Bitcoin may face a prolonged correction as long-term holders take profits. The wallet’s use of CoinJoin for privacy and its non-mining origin were also noted, alongside broader concerns about quantum computing threats to early Bitcoin addresses, including those potentially owned by Satoshi Nakamoto.
read moreSamourai Wallet Founders to Plead Guilty in Crypto Case
Samourai Wallet co-founders Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill have announced their intention to plead guilty to charges related to their crypto mixing service. The pair, who initially pleaded not guilty in April 2024, are accused of running an unlicensed money-transmitting business that allegedly processed over $2 billion in unlawful transactions, including funds linked to illicit marketplaces like Silk Road. Separate court filings submitted in a New York federal court indicate the plea change will take place on Wednesday. The case highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny of privacy-focused crypto tools.
read moreEx-NCA Officer Jailed for Stealing $5.9M in Silk Road Bitcoin
Paul Chowles, a former operational officer with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for stealing 50 Bitcoin (now valued at $5.9 million) seized during the investigation into Silk Road 2.0. Chowles, who was part of the team probing the infamous dark web marketplace, pleaded guilty in May to charges of theft, transferring criminal property, and concealing criminal property. The case highlights vulnerabilities in law enforcement handling of seized crypto assets and underscores the ongoing legal repercussions from the Silk Road investigations.
read moreSilk Road Bitcoin Mystery: 300 BTC Sent to Ulbricht’s Wallet
In June 2025, Ross Ulbricht’s dormant Bitcoin wallet received 300 BTC from an unknown sender, drawing attention to the lingering mysteries of Silk Road’s crypto transactions. Ulbricht, the convicted founder of the darknet marketplace, facilitated over 9.5 million BTC in sales before its 2013 shutdown. Investigators like ZachXBT continue to expose the limitations of mixing tools and dormant wallets in concealing illicit funds. This incident underscores the evolving landscape of onchain forensics and the persistent scrutiny of historical crypto crimes.
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