Crypto OG Ross Ulbricht is stepping back into the spotlight. The Silk Road founder, pardoned earlier this year by President Trump, just confirmed that he’ll be speaking live at The Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas — his first public event since being released from prison.

“It’s official. I’ll be making my first public appearance and speech since my release at The Bitcoin Conference,” Ulbricht wrote on X.

The move comes after a full, unconditional pardon signed by Trump on Day 1 back in the Oval Office, keeping a promise he made during his 2024 Libertarian pitch.

From Life Behind Bars to Bitcoin’s Biggest Stage

Ulbricht’s story is legendary in the crypto world. The former physics grad launched Silk Road, a darknet marketplace that processed over $213 million in BTC transactions — most of it tied to anonymous deals in drugs and contraband.

In 2015, he got hit with two life sentences plus 40 years, no parole. To some, he was a visionary fighting for liberty. To others, a digital drug kingpin. Either way, he became a lightning rod for crypto, privacy, and government power.

Ulbricht Reconnects With Crypto Community

Since regaining freedom, Ulbricht has already made waves—recently speaking out in support of Roger Ver, the early Bitcoin investor now facing legal trouble of his own.

Now, all eyes are on what he’ll say in Vegas. His reappearance could spark a new chapter of conversations around freedom tech, censorship-resistance, and whether true decentralization can survive increasing regulatory pressure.

Crypto’s Rebel Returns — What Happens Next?

Love him or hate him, Ross Ulbricht is back — and his presence is already reigniting fire across the crypto space.

Will he become a symbol of redemption? A catalyst for reform? Or just stir more controversy?

Either way, his upcoming speech will be unmissable — and the Bitcoin world is listening.