Sunday, June 1, 2025

Ross Ulbricht Raises $1.3M in Bitcoin Auction, Then Receives Surprise $31M Donation

The Silk Road founder is making a dramatic return to crypto, turning prison memorabilia into Bitcoin and receiving one of 2025's largest donations.

The Auction Success:

  • Total raised: $1.3M+ in Bitcoin via Scarce City
  • Top item: 2024-2025 prison ID (5.5 BTC)
  • Full ID set: 7.5 BTC (~$780k)
  • Prison items: Paintings, clothing, notebooks, sneakers

What Sold:

  • Notebook: 1.06 BTC
  • Three paintings: 2.41 BTC total
  • Prison sneakers: 0.54 BTC
  • Sweatsuit: 0.51 BTC
  • Pre-arrest items: Djembe drum, backpack, sleeping bag

Ulbricht's Statement: "I've left Arizona, the state where I was in prison. It's time to travel... I don't need the reminders and I'm sure some of you will love to have them."

The Massive Donation:

  • 300 BTC received (~$31.4M)
  • Detected by Lookonchain shortly after auction
  • One of largest single donations recorded in 2025
  • Came days after Bitcoin 2025 conference speech

Bitcoin 2025 Appearance:

  • First public event since Trump's presidential pardon
  • Emotional speech expressing gratitude to Bitcoin community
  • Message: "When it comes to freedom, we're not there yet"
  • Values: Freedom, decentralization, unity

Symbolic Return:

  • Turning the page on prison chapter
  • Renewed crypto participation from different perspective
  • Community support despite controversial past
  • Bitcoin as tool for individual empowerment

Market Context: Auction timing coincided with Bitcoin trading around $104k, making the memorabilia extremely valuable in BTC terms.


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