Trump May Pardon 250 Americans — Could Crypto Founders Be Next?

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

• Trump may announce up to 250 presidential pardons before July 4 celebrations.
  
• Several crypto figures, including Sam Bankman-Fried, are seeking clemency.
  
• The debate over crypto developer liability continues to divide the industry.

US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering issuing up to 250 presidential pardons as part of celebrations marking the United States’ 250th Independence Day anniversary on July 4. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, the plan remains under discussion, but an announcement could arrive as early as June 14, which is Trump’s birthday, or during Independence Day events next month.

The possible wave of pardons has already sparked renewed attention across the crypto industry, where several high-profile founders and developers continue seeking clemency from the White House.

Crypto Executives Seek Presidential Pardons

Among the most closely watched cases is former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted on fraud-related charges tied to the collapse of the exchange. Bankman-Fried has reportedly attempted to rebuild public support online while pursuing the possibility of a pardon, though reports earlier this year suggested Trump was not inclined to grant one.

Another figure drawing attention is Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of the crypto privacy tool Samourai Wallet. Rodriguez has publicly pushed for clemency while supporters continue circulating an online petition that has gathered thousands of signatures.

Meanwhile, supporters of Roman Storm and Roman Semenov are also campaigning for presidential intervention connected to the ongoing legal battle surrounding Tornado Cash.

Crypto Community Divided Over Developer Liability

The legal cases involving crypto privacy tools have become a major debate inside the digital asset sector. Advocates argue software developers should not be held criminally responsible for how third parties use open-source technology. Critics, however, say platforms that facilitate anonymous transactions can enable money laundering and sanctions evasion.

Storm still faces multiple federal charges, while Semenov remains wanted by US authorities. The outcome of these cases could shape how regulators and courts approach decentralized software development in the future.

Trump Has Already Pardoned Several Crypto Figures

Trump has already issued pardons to multiple crypto industry figures during his current term. The co-founders of BitMEX — Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo, and Samuel Reed — previously received clemency after pleading guilty to anti-money laundering violations.

Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao was also pardoned after serving a prison sentence tied to compliance failures at the exchange.

One of Trump’s most notable crypto-related pardons involved Ross Ulbricht, creator of the Silk Road darknet marketplace, whose life sentence was commuted earlier this year.

Also Read: Solana, Uniswap, and Consensys Donated to Donald Trump Before SEC Dropped Investigations

As speculation grows around the potential 250-person pardon list, the crypto sector is watching closely to see whether more digital asset figures could soon receive presidential clemency.

While the proposed pardon initiative has not yet been finalized, it has already reignited debate around justice reform, crypto regulation, and the limits of developer liability. With thousands of pardon requests reportedly under review, Trump’s final decisions could carry significant political and legal consequences for the cryptocurrency industry and beyond.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.