Ross Ulbricht has received a significant donation of 300 Bitcoins, worth approximately $31.4 million, in what appears to be a strong show of support from the cryptocurrency community.
Blockchain analysis platform Lookonchain confirmed the transfer to Ulbricht’s donation wallet just hours ago, reflecting growing momentum behind his reentry into society following his release from prison earlier this year.
Millions in Crypto donations support Ulbricht’s fresh start
This latest Bitcoin donation is one of several Ulbricht has received since his release. Earlier in the year, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken contributed $111,111 in Bitcoin. According to the Free Ross organization, an additional $270,000 in various digital currencies was also raised to support his transition. These donations included Ethereum, USDC, Tether, and Binance Coin, which were collected through a separate address.
Ulbricht was pardoned on January 21, 2025, by then-President Donald Trump, ending his life sentence after serving 11 years for narcotics and money laundering-related convictions. Since then, Ulbricht has made public appearances, including at the Bitcoin 2025 conference, where he thanked supporters for their consistent backing during his incarceration.
Silk road founder auctions personal belongings for Bitcoin
Ulbricht has also generated about $1.8 million by auctioning personal items and artwork created while in prison. The auction was held on the Bitcoin-native platform Scarce City and featured 13 items connected to his time before and during incarceration. His prison ID card attracted the highest bid, closing at 11 BTC, now valued at over $1.1 million.
Other items auctioned included his prison sneakers, t-shirt, sweatsuit, three ID cards, a notebook, and a locker lock. Personal effects from before his arrest, such as a sleeping bag, backpack, djembe drum, and Vibram FiveFingers shoes, were also sold. Ulbricht stated that letting go of these items was a way of moving forward and reducing unnecessary reminders of his past.
Bitcoin-Funded painting among auction highlights
Among the items up for auction was an oil painting created by Ulbricht and a fellow inmate known as “Omega.” The painting, which depicts a stone archway, received a high bid of 1.01 BTC. Ulbricht explained that he was inspired by a photograph and painted the scene to express hope and anticipation for a better future. The auction winners are expected to complete their payments by June 2.