Ross Ulbricht 300 Bitcoin payday unlikely ‘self donation’
Ross Ulbricht received 300 Bitcoin, valued at $31.4 million, from wallets using the Jambler mixing service, raising questions about the funds' origins. Blockchain researcher ZachXBT noted skepticism regarding claims that Ulbricht self-donated the Bitcoin, citing the unusual use of Jambler by few entities. He indicated that the funds likely came from questionable sources but not from Ulbricht's hidden profits from Silk Road. Two addresses linked to the donation had exchange activity dating back to 2014 and 2019, with deposits coinciding with the 300 BTC transfer. Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road, was sentenced to life in prison in 2015 and pardoned in January 2021. Coinbase director Conor Grogan identified 430 Bitcoin tied to Ulbricht, which had been inactive for over 13 years. Additionally, Ulbricht's auction of personal belongings generated over $1.8 million in Bitcoin.
