Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a candidate for the United States presidency, made a bold announcement on social media, pledging to release Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, from prison if he is elected in November. Kennedy expressed his concern over Ulbricht’s harsh two life sentences, which he deemed excessive for simply operating an e-commerce platform. To further support his cause, Kennedy shared a petition calling for Ulbricht’s freedom.
While former President Donald Trump has gained attention from the crypto community for his recent support of the industry, Kennedy’s previous remarks and actions demonstrate a deeper level of commitment to the blockchain revolution. In 2023, the presidential hopeful proposed backing the US dollar with Bitcoin and eliminating the capital gains tax on the digital asset to stabilize the price of the overprinted global reserve currency. To dispel criticism that he was advocating for an asset he had no personal stake in, Kennedy revealed that he had purchased Bitcoin for each of his seven children.
Kennedy also expressed strong opposition to a central bank digital currency (CBDC), citing concerns about privacy and the traditional banking system’s lack of structural integrity. Notably, President Trump has also voiced his opposition to the creation of a CBDC.
In a recent proposal, Kennedy suggested the audacious idea of putting the entire US fiscal budget on the blockchain for unprecedented transparency, efficiency, and accountability. This bold suggestion sets him apart from other US politicians.
As the 2024 election year approaches, pardoning American dissidents has become a popular topic among presidential candidates, including Kennedy, former President Trump, and former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy, who has withdrawn from the race and endorsed Trump, has previously expressed his intention to pardon Julian Assange, Ross Ulbricht, and other non-violent prisoners on his first day in office. It is widely speculated that Ramaswamy will hold a position in President Trump’s cabinet if he wins reelection in 2024.
When asked about the possibility of freeing Assange, former President Trump responded that he was seriously considering it. Similarly, RFK Jr. has stated his intention to pardon Assange, as well as whistleblower Edward Snowden and Ross Ulbricht, if he is elected to office.
In other news, the CEO of Trezor, a leading cryptocurrency wallet provider, has warned that the emergence of Bitcoin ETFs has made Coinbase a target for hackers and governments. The CEO highlights the need for heightened security measures to protect users’ funds.