Advocacy for Presidential Pardon
Advocates from the Bitcoin community and policy organizations are amplifying their efforts for US President Donald Trump to grant a presidential pardon for Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, the developers behind Samourai Wallet. The two men, who were sentenced to five and four years in prison respectively after pleading guilty to running an unlicensed money-transmitting business, are scheduled to begin their sentences in January 2026 unless clemency is granted.
Support from the Bitcoin Community
The lead-up to this moment has seen notable Bitcoin supporters rallying to their cause, including prominent media personality Max Keiser and Bitcoin entrepreneur Marty Bent. Zack Shapiro with the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) articulated that a pardon would rectify what he perceives as incorrect legal interpretations of federal money transmission laws as they relate to non-custodial software, arguing that prosecuting the Samourai developers is a misapplication of the law.
“If President Trump truly aspires to make America the hub of Bitcoin, he should not allow the unjust imprisonment of developers while overlooking the misdeeds of major banks.”
Legal and Innovation Concerns
In a publication dated December 2, the BPI elaborated their argument for pardoning Rodriguez and Hill, asserting that the treatment of these developers as money transmitters undermines the important legal distinctions between software developers and financial intermediaries. Furthermore, they cautioned that maintaining their convictions could stifle innovation in the privacy-focused technology sector which is crucial for Bitcoin’s future.
A petition advocating for the pardon had gathered over 3,200 signatures and continues to draw attention from the Bitcoin grassroots. This situation has not gone unnoticed in the political arena, with Keiser urging Eric Trump to take further action to support the developers’ cause. The Libertarian Party of Oregon weighed in, equating software code to speech, thereby advocating for freedom of expression in this context.
Presidential Pardon History
Since taking office, President Trump has shown a willingness to issue pardons with ties to cryptocurrency, having previously granted clemency to figures like Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht and Binance leader Changpeng Zhao. This history raises eyebrows among Bitcoin advocates, who question the fairness of pardoning a wealthy exchange founder in light of the significant prison sentences facing the Samourai developers. Kyle Torpey, a Bitcoin researcher, spotlighted the contrast in these cases, suggesting that it could appear unjust if the developers do not receive similar leniency.
Impact on Bitcoin Development
As the deadline for their impending prison sentences approaches, advocates emphasize that the outcome will significantly impact the landscape of privacy-friendly Bitcoin development in the US, alongside determining the future of Rodriguez and Hill.
