Trump Considers Pardoning Samourai Wallet Founder, Crypto Privacy in the Spotlight!

Jakarta, Pintu News – US President Donald Trump has said he will review the legal case against Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of Samourai Wallet, a Bitcoin (BTC) wallet known for its focus on privacy.

This comes after Rodriguez was found guilty in an illegal money transmission case, reigniting debates around legal boundaries, crypto technology, and digital privacy rights. According to Trump’s White House statement, the case will be “looked at further”, leaving open the possibility of a presidential pardon.

Conviction of Samourai Wallet Founder

Keonne Rodriguez and his co-founder, William Lonergan Hill, were sentenced to five and four years in prison respectively on November 19. Based on a federal court ruling, the two were found guilty of running a money transmission business without a license through a cryptocurrency mixing protocol that Samourai Wallet developed. This information was revealed in a Cointelegraph report that reviewed the details of the verdict and legal context.

Rodriguez is scheduled to begin serving his prison term in the near future. Through a post on the X platform, he expressed his appreciation to the community that continues to provide support and encourage Trump to consider a pardon. According to Rodriguez, this public support has begun to show a real impact in opening up political discussion on his case.

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Plea Agreement and Right of Appeal

In an interview with Bitcoin educator Natalie Brunell, Rodriguez revealed that he had waived his appeal rights as part of a plea deal. He explained that the decision was made amidst the uncertainty of the legal process and the risk of a much harsher sentence. Based on his statement, the chances of an appeal are considered very slim although he is not entirely confident in the decision.

Rodriguez and Hill initially pleaded not guilty, but later agreed to plead guilty to one main charge. If the legal process continues without a deal, both could potentially face money laundering conspiracy charges with a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. This fact was one of the main considerations in their decision to accept the deal.

The Precedent of Trump’s Pardon in the Crypto World

The Samourai Wallet case is relevant in the context of Trump’s previous policies towards the crypto industry. According to media accounts, Trump has pardoned controversial figures in the crypto world, including Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, founder of Binance, and Ross Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road. These precedents reinforce speculation that Trump is open to cases involving blockchain technology and digital asset regulation.

Rodriguez expressed regret for his guilty plea, but considered it the most realistic option. He also expressed concern that important evidence related to the technical and privacy aspects of the software would not be admissible in court. In addition, the enormous cost of the appeal was a crucial factor in his decision.

Implications for Regulation and Digital Privacy

Trump’s review of the case is significant because it touches on the fundamental issue of crypto software developer liability. According to observers, the Samourai Wallet case has the potential to set a precedent in determining whether developers of non-custodial privacy tools can be held criminally liable for third-party use. This issue has been widely discussed in the global cryptocurrency legal discourse.

If Trump decides to grant a pardon, the move could affect how the US government views crypto innovation and digital privacy. Conversely, if there is no pardon, the case will still be an important reference point in the future enforcement of blockchain-based technology.

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FAQ

What is Samourai Wallet and why is the case important?

Samourai Wallet is a Bitcoin (BTC) wallet that focuses on transaction privacy. This case is important because it concerns the limits of legal liability of crypto software developers.

Who are Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill?

Both founders of Samourai Wallet were convicted of running a money transmission business without a license in the United States.

What was the sentence imposed on the founder of Samourai Wallet?

Keonne Rodriguez was sentenced to five years in prison, while William Lonergan Hill was sentenced to four years in prison under a federal court ruling.

Why is President Trump considering a pardon?

Trump stated that he would review the case after receiving public attention and support from the crypto community, which considers this case to be related to privacy and technological innovation.

Can Rodriguez still appeal?

Rodriguez had waived his appeal rights as part of his plea deal, so the chances of an appeal were considered very slim.

What is the potential impact of amnesty on the crypto industry?

The pardon could be a political signal regarding the US government’s stance on crypto technology, digital privacy, and non-custodial software development.

Reference

• Cointelegraph. Trump to Review Samourai Wallet Pardon Keonne Rodriguez. Accessed December 17, 2025