Trump Eyes Pardon Review for Samourai Wallet Developer Keonne Rodriguez

• Trump’s review stems from advocacy efforts by privacy supporters and crypto enthusiasts pushing for clemency in the Samourai Wallet case.

• Rodriguez and co-founder William Lonergan Hill were sentenced to prison terms for operating a crypto mixing service deemed an unlicensed money transmitter.

• With sentences of five and four years, the case raises questions about developer liability for third-party use of privacy software, including 25-year potential penalties for money laundering conspiracy.

Explore how President Trump’s potential pardon for Samourai Wallet developer Keonne Rodriguez could reshape crypto privacy regulations. Stay informed on key developments in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency law. (152 characters)

Will Trump Pardon Samourai Wallet Developer Keonne Rodriguez?

Trump pardon Samourai Wallet developer Keonne Rodriguez appears increasingly possible after the US President stated he would examine the case during a White House press conference. Rodriguez, convicted alongside co-founder William Lonergan Hill for running a cryptocurrency mixing protocol, faces a five-year prison sentence starting this week. Advocacy from the crypto community, emphasizing the developers’ non-involvement in criminal misuse of their software, has amplified calls for clemency, aligning with Trump’s prior pardons of crypto-related figures.

What Are the Details of the Samourai Wallet Case?

The Samourai Wallet case centers on charges against Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill for operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business through their privacy-focused cryptocurrency application. On November 19, 2024, a federal court in New York sentenced Rodriguez to five years and Hill to four years in prison. The duo initially pleaded not guilty but entered guilty pleas in July 2024 to one count, avoiding trials that could have led to harsher penalties.

Prosecutors argued that the Samourai Wallet’s mixing feature, designed to enhance user privacy by obfuscating transaction trails on the Bitcoin blockchain, functioned as an illegal money transmitter. This tool allowed users to combine funds, making it harder to trace transactions—a feature privacy advocates defend as essential for financial autonomy but which authorities linked to potential laundering activities. According to court documents, the developers faced risks of up to 25 years for conspiracy to commit money laundering and five years for the transmission charge.

Rodriguez has expressed regret over the plea deal, citing fears that key defense evidence, such as prior legal consultations before launching the wallet in 2015, might not be admissible. Financial burdens also factored in; appealing could add millions in costs atop the $4.5 million already spent on legal fees, with years in custody during the process. Expert analyses from blockchain privacy researchers, like those referenced in reports from Chainalysis, underscore that such tools are widely used legitimately, with only a fraction tied to illicit activities—statistics show less than 1% of Bitcoin transactions involve mixers overall.

Privacy advocates, including figures from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, argue that holding developers accountable for third-party actions sets a dangerous precedent, potentially stifling innovation in decentralized finance. Roman Storm, co-founder of another mixer protocol Tornado Cash, faces similar scrutiny, highlighting a broader Department of Justice trend targeting crypto privacy solutions.

US President Donald Trump has promised to review the case of Samurai Wallet developer Keonne Rodriguez. Source: YouTube

US President Donald Trump says he will review the case of convicted Samourai Wallet developer Keonne Rodriguez, hinting he will explore the possibility of a pardon.

Samourai Wallet co-founders Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill were sentenced on Nov. 19 to five and four years in prison on charges stemming from their involvement in the crypto mixing protocol.

“I’ve heard about it, I’ll look at it,” Trump said when asked about the case at a press conference about the Mexican border at the White House on Monday.

“Okay, let’s take a look at it. You know, you’ll have to tell me. I don’t know anything about it, but we’ll take a look,” he added.

Privacy advocates and crypto users have long been advocating for Rodriguez and Hill, along with Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm, arguing they shouldn’t be held responsible for the actions of third parties using their software.

Samourai co-founder says “noise is working”

Rodriguez, who is due to start his time behind bars this week, said in an X post on Monday that the “continued noise” from supporters is working. “Thank you to everyone pushing Donald Trump to pardon Bill and me. Let’s get this over the line.”

In an interview with Bitcoin educator Natalie Brunell on Friday, Rodriguez said he thought there was a chance of receiving a pardon if the case were presented to Trump and the top officials in the administration.

I appreciate @keonne taking some tough questions on the Samourai Wallet case. No topic was off limits.
Keonne is getting ready to report to prison on December 19th but there is an active movement to #PardonSamourai, and Keonne hopes President Trump hears his story.
If you care… pic.twitter.com/iXg3BXr8iq

— Natalie Brunell ⚡️ (@natbrunell) December 12, 2025

“Because President Trump has been touched by a DOJ that was weaponized against him, I think when he sees the facts laid out on the table, he will know exactly what’s going on,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez also said it’s his understanding he waived his right to appeal the sentence when he took the plea deal, adding that he’s not “100% on that, but my understanding is appeal is pretty unlikely.”

Rodriguez and Hill initially pleaded not guilty but then agreed to plead guilty to one charge of operating an illegal money transmitter in July.

They faced at least 25 years in prison on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, which carries a sentence of up to five years.

Up until the sentencing hearing, Rodriguez said he regretted pleading guilty but feared the judge wouldn’t allow key evidence to be used in his defense, such as receiving legal advice before launching Samourai Wallet.

After crunching the numbers, he also found a “conviction means 25 years, even if you appeal, that you’re sitting in prison for five years waiting for your appeal, your appeal is going to cost you another $7 million on top of the four and a half million you’ve already spent to get to this point. So the numbers just didn’t make any sense.”

Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, Ross Ulbricht

Trump has already pardoned two crypto heavyweights, Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao in October and Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht in January.

Since taking office, Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao in October, after he pleaded guilty in November 2023 to failing to maintain an effective Anti–Money Laundering program at Binance, in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act.

Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the defunct darknet marketplace the Silk Road, was also granted a presidential pardon on his life sentence in January.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Charges Did Keonne Rodriguez Face in the Samourai Wallet Case?

Keonne Rodriguez faced charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business related to the Samourai Wallet’s privacy features. These stemmed from the wallet’s mixing protocol, which prosecutors claimed facilitated illegal transactions, though developers maintained it was built for legitimate privacy needs. Sentences were set at five years for Rodriguez following a guilty plea in July 2024.

Why Is the Crypto Community Pushing for a Trump Pardon in the Samourai Case?

The crypto community is advocating for a pardon because they believe developers like Rodriguez should not be penalized for how others misuse open-source privacy tools. This aligns with broader concerns over government overreach in regulating blockchain innovations, especially given Trump’s own experiences with legal challenges. Supporters argue it protects free speech and financial privacy in the digital age.

Key Takeaways

• Presidential Review Underway: Trump’s commitment to examine Rodriguez’s case signals potential relief for crypto privacy developers amid ongoing DOJ actions.
• Precedent from Prior Pardons: Clemency for figures like CZ Zhao and Ross Ulbricht demonstrates a pattern of addressing perceived injustices in crypto-related convictions.
• Advocacy’s Impact: Sustained public pressure, as noted by Rodriguez, could influence outcomes, urging community involvement to support innovation without fear of prosecution.

Conclusion

The potential Trump pardon Samourai Wallet developer Keonne Rodriguez underscores the intersection of cryptocurrency privacy and federal enforcement, as seen in cases involving mixing protocols and anti-money laundering laws. With authoritative sources like court records and statements from blockchain experts affirming the legitimacy of such tools for most users, this review could set vital precedents. As the crypto sector matures, staying engaged with these developments will be crucial—consider joining discussions on platforms like en.coinotag.com to advocate for balanced regulations and future innovations.