Todays Top Stories

Editor: @PhoenixxDown

Ross Ulbricht Walks Free After Decade-Long Battle

It finally happened—Ross Ulbricht, creator of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, has been granted a full and unconditional pardon by President Donald Trump!

This marks the end of his decade-long imprisonment. Ulbricht had been serving a double life sentence without parole since 2015 for his role in creating the infamous marketplace, which used Bitcoin to facilitate anonymous transactions, including illegal drug sales.

For those unaware of what led to Ulbricht’s incarceration, operating under the pseudonym "Dread Pirate Roberts", Ulbricht was arrested in 2013 after the FBI shut down Silk Road. While controversial, the platform was viewed by supporters as a groundbreaking use of Bitcoin, championing decentralized commerce and personal liberty. Critics of his sentencing argued it was disproportionately harsh, especially for a first-time, nonviolent offender.

Ulbricht was held responsible for all activity on the platform, with a target painted on the drugs trading. His conviction included charges like drug trafficking and money laundering, despite its decentralized nature.

To put this in perspective: if the founder of Solana were held accountable for every rug pull we’ve suffered on that chain, jail wouldn’t even be an option. He’d be launched headfirst into the Sun. Some might cheer, but it’s ultimately unfair and nonsensical; and yes, the rug pulls would continue in his absence elsewhere.

Ulbricht’s trial raised serious concerns. One of the most controversial aspects was the allegation that Ulbricht had arranged murder-for-hire plots to protect the platform. While these accusations were never formally charged in court, prosecutors used them to portray him as a dangerous criminal, significantly influencing the harshness of his sentencing. Many believe these claims were exaggerated or misrepresented, making the punishment seem politically motivated.

Ulbricht’s release came after years of tireless campaigning by his mother, Lyn Ulbricht, alongside growing support from libertarian groups and the crypto community. His double life sentence had become a symbol of government overreach and a rallying cry for sentencing reform advocates.

Upon his release, Ulbricht’s family expressed immense relief and gratitude, calling it a triumph for justice.

What’s Next For Ross?

Speculation about Ulbricht’s future is already swirling. Some believe he will become an advocate for criminal justice reform and the ethical use of technology.

Or perhaps he’ll choose a quiet life, enjoying his freedom out of the spotlight. And who could blame him, he deserves a bit of a rest after that ordeal.

Then again, maybe—just maybe—Ross gets into Ordinals and pumps our Runes bags. Okay, probably not, but one can dream!

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Daily Bites: Today’s Top Articles

Todays Markets

Ordinals

Yesterday, we saw Unsanctioned Wizards drop 80%—quite the spectacle—but today, Commander Doug takes the spotlight with a 99.9% fall.

However, something seems off, as the sales history doesn’t fully align with this dramatic decline. Magic Eden shows the floor at 0.25 BTC around 24 hours ago, possibly before the full supply was minted, and it could have been an early minter trying their luck as the supply hit secondary markets.

While the numbers look shocking, the -99.9% drop isn’t accurate. Social sentiment suggests no rug here. In fact, there’s a touch of bullishness, with some quietly accumulating at these levels of around $25.

In other news, OMB gets a small 0.4% bump following Ross Ulbricht’s release. The project inscribed a “Ross Free” White Eyes. Whether it ends up in the mint pool, auctioned off, or even gifted to Ross himself, it’s a cast iron grail.

Quantum Cats have temporarily slipped below their stable peg of 0.3 BTC but are likely to bounce back soon. They’ve weathered the chaos of the past week better than most, making a quick recovery all but certain.

I’m Back Bitches, an airdropped collection targeting select communities, has entered the top 10. Be sure to check your wallets—you might have received one.

Runes

A steady day for Runes, considering the gains made over the past 24–36 hours.

Most in the top 5 have held their positions well. The only exception is RSIC, which has predictably dropped nearly 5% as the market settles into the wait for the next rumored phase of the project in mid-March.

One of the standouts of the day is $BRO, rebounding with a solid 21% gain. However, $POOKA steals the spotlight, surging 43% on the back of the OMB and Ross hype.

Meanwhile, Liquidium is getting in on the action a lot lately, with a few appearances in the top 10 for volume. Speculators have been quietly buying up their token, and it seems like they’ve been cooking constantly over there.

Todays Opportunities

Giveaways

There are currently no raffles taking place today, but check back tomorrow for what’s next so you don’t miss out.