Lyn Ulbricht launches Mac at 2025 Bitcoin Conference to fight brutal verdict
In a powerful statement against an unfair judgment, the mother’s Cruel Judgment (MACS) against the nonprofit founded by Lyn Ulbricht was officially launched today at the 2025 Bitcoin Conference. The organization is committed to advocating for over-and-inhuman judgments and supports families affected by this punishment.
The MAC seeks to unite the entire political divide and the voice of the tech community to promote meaningful reforms in sentencing laws.
“Thousands of people, many of whom are nonviolent like Ross, are obeying extreme sentences, locking in for years, decades, and even a lifetime,” Ulbricht said. “The MAC is designed to make family members speak out, promote just, reasonable sentencing, and punishments are suitable for crime.”
Ulbricht will formally introduce the organization during the Women of Bitcoin Brunch, a major event at the conference that attracts influential women from the Bitcoin world to discuss advocacy, innovation and influence.
Ross Ulbricht’s Journey: From Life Penalty to Presidential Pardon
Ross Ulbricht became a controversial figure after launching the Silk Road in 2011, an online marketplace that uses bitcoin for anonymous transactions. While unfortunately, the site was used to sell illicit drugs, it was also used as the first real-world use case for Bitcoin, demonstrating the power of decentralized, patient funding.
In 2015, Ulbricht was sentenced to double life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. His punishment quickly became a symbol of government overturning technology and many in the Bitcoin world. Critics believe that his verdict goes far beyond justice, especially given the nonviolent nature of his crimes.
Shortly after Trump returned to office, his pardon was seen as a strong move to commemorate campaign commitments and support for Bitcoin’s personal freedom and resistance to government overresistance. It sparked celebrations throughout the Bitcoin community, but also reminded advocates that the fight for justice is far from over.
The Bitcoin community continues to call for leniency and support for others, including developers of Samulai Wallet facing prosecution, who have been sued for creating privacy tools, while Edward Snowden is still in exile revealing government surveillance plans.
Ross will give a keynote speech at the 2025 Bitcoin Conference at 8 p.m. ET on May 29. You can watch his speech here.
