United States presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made headlines on social media on Thursday, announcing his intention to release Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht from prison if he wins the upcoming election in November.
RFK Jr. criticized Ulbricht’s harsh two life sentences, referring to his crime as simply “hosting an e-commerce platform,” and shared a petition calling for Ulbricht’s freedom.
Former President Donald Trump, known for his recent support of the crypto industry, has been dubbed “the crypto President,” drawing attention to the issue of cryptocurrencies on a national scale. However, Kennedy’s past statements and actions show a deeper commitment to the blockchain revolution beyond mere campaign promises.
In 2023, the independent candidate proposed linking the US dollar to Bitcoin and removing the capital gains tax on the digital asset to stabilize the price of the global reserve currency. He also disclosed that he had purchased Bitcoin for each of his seven children, proving his belief in the asset.
Kennedy has also voiced opposition to the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), citing privacy concerns and flaws in the traditional banking system, a stance shared by Trump. Additionally, he suggested putting the entire US fiscal budget on the blockchain for transparency, efficiency, and accountability, a bold move not yet proposed by any other US politician.
The trend of pardoning American dissidents has gained popularity among 2024 presidential candidates, with Trump, RFK Jr., and former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy all expressing their support for pardoning individuals like Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, and Ulbricht. RFK Jr. has pledged to pardon these individuals if elected.
In the midst of this, the CEO of Trezor warns that Bitcoin ETFs could make Coinbase a target for hackers and governments, emphasizing the need for caution in the growing crypto industry.