Ross Ulbricht's Bitcoin donor tied to dark market Alphabay
A crypto wallet linked to the defunct dark web marketplace Alphabay donated $31 million worth of Bitcoin to Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road. Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis identified the 300 Bitcoin donation as originating from Alphabay, suggesting it came from a major vendor on the platform. Independent analyst ZachXBT confirmed the funds did not come from Silk Road and noted suspicious transaction patterns, including the use of multiple mixing services to obscure the source. The donation is considered legitimate but derived from illicit funds. Chainalysis previously helped identify Bitcoin addresses linked to Alphabay during its takedown in an investigation called "Operation Bayonet." The identity of the donor remains unknown. Ross Ulbricht was pardoned by former President Donald Trump in January after serving 12 years in prison.
