Trump Considers Pardon for Samourai Wallet Founder Rodriguez

US President Donald Trump has commented at a press conference on a possible pardon for convicted Samourai Wallet founder Keonne Rodriguez. The CEO and co-developer of the privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet was sentenced in November to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000^[1].

Sander Lutz from crypto magazine Decrypt raised the case with Trump, noting that parts of the crypto community believe a pardon would be justified. Trump showed he was not opposed to the idea.

The Rodriguez case has generated considerable controversy in the Bitcoin community, as the conviction was related to the development of privacy software. Samourai Wallet was valued by users who prioritize privacy in Bitcoin transactions.

Whether Trump will actually issue a pardon remains to be seen. However, such a decision could be interpreted as a signal toward a more lenient regulatory approach to crypto technology in the United States.