**Trump Considers Pardon for Samourai Wallet Co-Founder Amid Controversy**
Former President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to review the case of Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of the Samourai Wallet, as scrutiny grows over the federal conviction of the Bitcoin privacy software developer. When questioned about Rodriguez’s impending prison sentence, Trump stated, “I’ve heard about it. I’ll look at it.” He added, “I don’t know anything about it, but we’ll take a look.”
Rodriguez acknowledged Trump’s comments on social media, thanking supporters for advocating for a pardon. He tweeted, “Your continued noise is working. Thank you to everyone pushing @realDonaldTrump to pardon Bill and me. Let’s get this over the line. #pardonsamourai.” Alongside Rodriguez, co-founder William “Bill” Hill was convicted of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, a charge linked to the Samourai Wallet, which enables users to mix coins and maintain financial anonymity.
The case, which began during the Biden administration and continued under Trump’s Justice Department, resulted in Rodriguez receiving a five-year sentence, while Hill received four years, with his sentence reduced due to age and a recent autism diagnosis. Critics argue that the prosecution sets a troubling precedent for the cryptocurrency sector. The U.S. Department of Justice alleged that Samourai Wallet facilitated over $2 billion in illegal transactions and laundered more than $100 million from criminal activities. However, only the “unlicensed money transmission” charge was upheld in a high-profile trial, raising doubts about the case’s overall strength.
Samourai Wallet’s mixing services, Whirlpool and Ricochet, were designed to obscure the origins of funds linked to various criminal activities, including drug trafficking and cybercrime. Court documents indicated that the developers encouraged illicit use, referring to their service as “money laundering for bitcoin” and promoting it on darknet forums. The Department of Justice framed the case as part of a larger crackdown on crypto mixing services. Despite Rodriguez’s request for a lighter sentence, the court imposed the maximum five-year term.
Trump’s remarks come as he campaigns on promises to uphold the right to self-custody and financial privacy. At the 2024 Bitcoin Conference in Nashville, he vowed to end what he termed the “anti-crypto crusade” of the previous administration. A pardon for Rodriguez and Hill would demonstrate a clear commitment to these promises.
**FAQ**
**Q: What charges were brought against Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill?**
A: They were convicted of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business related to the Samourai Wallet, a Bitcoin privacy tool.
