Samourai Wallet Founder’s Fate Hangs in Balance: President Trump Considers Pardon for Keonne Rodriguez
In a move that could reshape crypto's legal landscape, President Trump is reportedly reviewing a potential pardon for Samourai Wallet co-founder Keonne Rodriguez. The case has become a flashpoint in the debate over financial privacy versus regulatory oversight.
The High-Stakes Review
The White House hasn't confirmed timelines or criteria, but sources suggest the review is underway. Rodriguez's conviction stemmed from Samourai's privacy features that allegedly facilitated illicit transactions—features privacy advocates call essential and regulators call dangerous.
Why This Case Matters
Samourai wasn't just another wallet. It offered CoinJoin transactions that mixed funds to obscure trails, plus Whirlpool for enhanced anonymity. The Department of Justice saw a money-transmitting business operating without licenses. The crypto community saw a privacy tool facing unprecedented legal attack.
The Ripple Effect
A presidential pardon would send shockwaves through both crypto and regulatory circles. It could embolden privacy-focused developers while complicating ongoing enforcement actions. Conversely, denying clemency would reinforce the government's aggressive stance—potentially chilling innovation in privacy tech.
Broader Implications
The decision lands amid growing tension between crypto anonymity and financial surveillance. Regulators worldwide are tightening controls, while users increasingly demand privacy. Rodriguez's fate may signal how far the U.S. will go in either direction—with billions in market sentiment hanging in the balance.
Final Analysis: A Political Crypto Crossroads
Trump's decision isn't just about one founder. It's about whether privacy protocols get treated as criminal enterprises or protected speech. The pardon pen could legitimize crypto's privacy wing—or confirm its exile to the regulatory shadows. Either way, Wall Street will find a way to monetize the uncertainty.
Samourai Dev Rodriguez Faces 5 Years Prison Charges
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) arrested Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill, the CEO and CTO of Samourai Wallet on April 24. They each face one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. The case was started under the Biden administration.
Last month, District Judge Denise Cote of the Southern District of New York (SDNY) handed down Rodriguez’s sentence to five years in prison.
Rodriguez was accused of creating a bitcoin mixing service that was allegedly used to launder $237 million in dirty money. He had voluntarily pleaded guilty in July.
Rodriguez Responds to Trump’s Words
In response to Trump’s consideration on Monday, Rodriguez said, “This is a big step forward.”
I have always said that the most challenging aspect of getting a pardon for me and Bill WOULD be getting the attention of @realDonaldTrump. He is very busy with many people competing for his attention. Today, thanks to the journalist at Decrypt, the President is aware of our… https://t.co/lmYljfFax9
— Keonne Rodriguez (@keonne) December 15, 2025“This President knows all about lawfare. He knows all about a weaponized Biden DOJ hunting down their political rivals. He knows the tactics and tricks they play. If he looks at our case closely it will be a case of deja vu, and I think he would do the right thing and grant us a pardon,” Rodriguez wrote on X.
Trump’s response comes four days before Rodriguez’s prison term begins.
Besides, the crypto community is buzzing with #pardonsamourai hashtags, seeking the signing of a petition to reach 100K signatures.
“Just as Ross Ulbricht was pardoned, Keonne must be forgiven, too,” wrote crypto entrepreneur Jesse Tevelow. “We cannot allow one of our own fellow Bitcoiners to spend time in jail for building a legitimate product that protects our Bitcoin and strengthens the network.”
President Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, who started Silk Road, a marketplace on the darknet. In October, Trump also pardoned Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the former head of Binance, concluding months of speculation over his legal fate. These cases mark a major shift in Washington’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation.
