Ross Ulbricht said that being true to these principles, the future is our future.
Last week, Ross William Ulbricht delivered a speech on the principles of freedom, decentralization and solidarity at the 2025 Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas.
Ross Ulbricht began talking about his experience in prison and the price difference when he was in prison compared to now.
“When I launched the Silk Road, buying the entire Bitcoin would have you backed for less than a dollar,” Ross said. “Pack. Can you imagine? They are worth more than $100,000 now.”
“Bitcoin’s power comes from the fact that any of us can mine if we want, and any of us can generate an address if we choose,” Ross said. “Any one of us can send bitcoins to others. We all stand on an equal footing with bitcoin. With bitcoin, we are all free.”
Ross tells everyone to stay united and if we are together we will be able to accomplish anything.
When I was jailed for life. I was isolated and weak. I didn’t take away everything. No one gave to everyone, but you didn’t give up on me. You haven’t forgotten me. You raised money for me. Raise money for me. When I was defended by me. When I was silent, you were silent, you spoke to that slim and smearer, and in the end I didn’t know if I would come out of those thick iron bars.
Ross concluded his speech and said, “Please don’t see each other as enemies. Those who oppose decentralization and freedom love it when we divide.
“Freedom, decentralization and solidarity,” Ross said. “Faith to these principles, the future is ours.”
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.
