Trump Eyes 250 Pardons, Crypto Founders Seek Inclusion
Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a clemency initiative involving 250 pardons to mark the United States' 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. Among those lobbying for inclusion are several high-profile crypto founders tied to controversial projects like FTX, Tornado Cash, and Samourai Wallet. While the pardons align with Trump's broader "Freedom 250" initiative, the final list remains undecided, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.
The pardons could be announced as early as June 14, Trump's 80th birthday, or during Independence Day celebrations, which are set to include a "Great American State Fair" and commemorative coins. This clemency push comes amid a broader federal effort to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, enacted under Executive Order 14189 in January 2025.
Crypto Figures Lobby for Clemency
Leading the charge among crypto advocates is Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of FTX, who was convicted on seven counts tied to the exchange's implosion and sentenced to 25 years in 2024. Despite reportedly lobbying for a pardon through social media, Trump had previously ruled out clemency for Bankman-Fried earlier this year, according to The New York Times.
Other notable figures include Keonne Rodriguez, a developer behind the privacy-focused Samourai Wallet. Rodriguez has publicly appealed for clemency, backed by a petition that has garnered over 16,000 signatures. Trump signaled in December 2025 that he would "review" Rodriguez’s case but has yet to confirm any decision.
Meanwhile, Roman Storm and Roman Semenov, co-founders of the Tornado Cash crypto-mixing protocol, have seen limited public support for their clemency bids. Storm is currently facing charges related to money laundering and sanctions violations, while Semenov remains a fugitive.
Precedents for Crypto Pardons
Trump’s second term has already seen several high-profile pardons within the crypto sector. In 2025, Binance founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao received clemency after serving a four-month sentence for violating anti-money laundering regulations. Ross Ulbricht, founder of the infamous Silk Road marketplace, was also granted a pardon in January 2025, overturning a life sentence. Other notable examples include the co-founders of BitMEX, who were pardoned last year after pleading guilty to Bank Secrecy Act violations.
These precedents suggest Trump’s administration may be open to similar clemency actions for crypto figures, though support for controversial projects like Tornado Cash and FTX remains divisive. Critics argue that developers of privacy tools shouldn’t be held responsible for third-party misuse, a sentiment echoed by many in the crypto community.
What’s Next?
For now, the pardon list remains in the preliminary stages, with over 16,000 formal clemency requests submitted last year. If finalized, the initiative could represent one of the largest symbolic uses of executive pardon powers during Trump’s presidency. Traders and investors in the crypto sector should monitor developments closely, particularly any announcements around June 14 or July 4, as clemency decisions could carry symbolic and market implications.