United States presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a bold statement on social media on Thursday, pledging to release Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht if he wins the upcoming election in November. RFK Jr. criticized the harsh punishment of Ulbricht, who is serving two life sentences for running an online marketplace, and shared a petition calling for his freedom.
Former President Donald Trump has been grabbing headlines in the crypto community for his recent support of the industry, earning him the title of “the crypto President.” However, RFK Jr.’s actions and statements show a deeper commitment to the blockchain revolution. In 2023, he proposed linking the U.S. dollar to Bitcoin and removing capital gains tax on the digital asset to stabilize the value of the global reserve currency. He also disclosed buying Bitcoin for each of his seven children to show his belief in the asset.
RFK Jr. has taken a firm stance against a central bank digital currency, citing privacy issues and flaws in the traditional banking system. He also suggested putting the entire U.S. fiscal budget on the blockchain for transparency and accountability, a move no other politician has suggested.
As the 2024 election approaches, pardoning American dissidents has become a popular topic among presidential candidates. RFK Jr., Trump, and former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy have all expressed intentions to pardon individuals like Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, and Ross Ulbricht. Ramaswamy, who dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump, is expected to join Trump’s administration if he wins reelection. RFK Jr. has also promised to pardon these individuals if he becomes president.
In other news, the CEO of Trezor warned that Bitcoin ETFs on Coinbase could attract hackers and government attention, making it a potential target.