Samourai Wallet founder seeks Trump pardon after prison sentences

Founder of the privacy-focused Samourai Wallet is seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump after receiving lengthy prison sentences in a high-profile Bitcoin case.

Why are Samourai Wallet founders asking Trump for a pardon?

Following the example of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, the two Samourai Wallet creators are appealing directly to Trump for clemency.

On Oct. 23, U.S. President Donald Trump granted a pardon to Zhao, who had pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act after U.S. authorities accused him of running an unregistered exchange and selling unregistered securities.

The pardon for Zhao, widely known as CZ, marked a dramatic reversal for the head of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Moreover, the move signaled that a potential future Trump administration could adopt a far more lenient stance toward digital asset regulation and enforcement.

What happened in the Samourai Wallet criminal case?

In July, Samourai Wallet founders Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill pleaded guilty to conspiring to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business. Prosecutors had initially brought more serious money-laundering charges, which were later dropped as part of the plea agreement.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, users relied on Samourai’s privacy tools to hide the origin and destination of Bitcoin transactions. Authorities say the platform’s Whirlpool coin-mixing service, launched in 2019, and its Ricochet hop-adding tool, introduced in 2017, were key components in obscuring on-chain activity.

Prosecutors allege that more than 80,000 BTC — valued at over $2 billion — flowed through Samourai, generating about $6 million in fees for the service.

They further claim that Hill promoted Samourai on darknet forum Dread as a tool to “clean dirty BTC,” while Rodriguez allegedly encouraged Twitter hackers in 2020 to use Whirlpool and described Bitcoin mixing on WhatsApp as “money laundering for Bitcoin.”

What sentences did the Samourai founder receive?

On Nov. 19, U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote sentenced Hill, 67, to four years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The ruling underscored how aggressively U.S. authorities are willing to prosecute privacy-focused crypto services.

Two weeks earlier, Rodriguez had received a five-year prison sentence and the same $250,000 financial penalty.

Many in the crypto community argue that his case poses a serious threat to open-source software development, as it tests where legal responsibility lies when developers build privacy tools later used by criminals.

Samourai Wallet itself was marketed as a privacy-first Bitcoin wallet designed to maximize user anonymity through coin mixing, Whirlpool, and advanced transaction obfuscation tools.

It branded itself as a “Bitcoin wallet for the streets,” emphasizing censorship resistance and protection from surveillance. However, in 2024, its founders were arrested and U.S. authorities seized the operation, alleging that the wallet facilitated large-scale money laundering.

How are Rodriguez and Hill campaigning for a Trump pardon?

Rodriguez has publicly urged Trump to issue a presidential pardon for both himself and co-founder Hill, framing the issue as part of a wider debate over crypto developer liability. The plea was shared on X on Nov. 20, as the two prepare to begin serving their sentences.

“In 30 days we will report to prison. Unless the President steps in,” the statement declared. Moreover, Rodriguez asked supporters to back a petition, writing that “it would mean a lot if you would sign this petition calling Donald Trump to pardon me and Bill,” and insisting that “developers shouldn’t be liable for the actions of bad actors using their software.”

According to Rodriguez, a newly launched website, billandkeonne.org, was created by supporters to raise awareness about the case. The site outlines the legal background, provides further context, and collects signatures for the petition. It also offers donation options to support the families of both developers while they serve their sentences.

How does CZ’s pardon bid shape expectations?

The Samourai founders’ strategy echoes that of Zhao, who has also sought clemency from Trump. On May 8, Zhao confirmed that he had formally requested a presidential pardon for his money-laundering conviction, reversing his previous denials and signaling a new phase in his legal and political approach.

Speaking on a Farokh Radio podcast aired May 6, Zhao said he “wouldn’t mind” a pardon and revealed that his lawyers had already filed the necessary paperwork. “I got lawyers applying,” he said, explaining that he submitted the request shortly after Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal reported he was seeking one amid discussions of a business deal involving the Trump family and Binance.US.

At the time of those reports, Zhao publicly denied he was pursuing a pardon. However, he now admits that the coverage influenced his decision: “If they’re writing this article, I may as well just officially apply.”

He also said Trump’s earlier pardons of the BitMEX founders motivated him to act.

“No felon would mind a pardon,” Zhao remarked, reiterating his claim that he is “the only person in US history to serve prison time for a Bank Secrecy Act charge.” Zhao had pleaded guilty in November 2023 as part of Binance’s $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities and went on to serve a four-month sentence.

While a successful pardon would not erase Zhao’s conviction, the U.S. Department of Justice says it could potentially allow him to hold an operational role at Binance.US again. Zhao, however, maintains that he has “no plans to return to the CEO position,” stressing that the exchange’s team “doesn’t need me back.”

What does Trump’s evolving crypto stance mean for future regulation?

Trump’s potential return to the White House has intensified interest from digital asset supporters, as he has shifted toward a more openly pro-crypto posture. That said, critics warn that case-by-case pardons could create uncertainty rather than clarity in crypto enforcement.

Trump’s second term has already been marked by concrete policy moves, most notably the passage of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act of 2025, known as the GENIUS Act.

On June 17, the U.S. Senate approved the law in a 68–30 vote, creating a federal regulatory framework for stablecoins, which are digital assets pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar.

Analysts say the GENIUS Act, together with Trump’s willingness to consider high-profile clemency requests, could reshape the balance between innovation, privacy, and enforcement in crypto. However, the outcome of the Samourai Wallet founders’ pardon bid — and Zhao’s own request — will serve as a critical test of how far this friendlier posture will extend.

In summary, the legal saga around Samourai Wallet, Zhao’s clemency push, and Trump’s shifting stance on digital assets highlight a pivotal moment for crypto regulation, open-source development, and the future of privacy tools in the United States.