Bitcoin is freedom cash, a censorship-resistant type of digital money permitting anybody with an web connection to ship cash to anybody else, no matter nationality, borders, or different arbitrary restrictions.
I personally first heard about Bitcoin in early 2013, via associates who had been shopping for… stuff from Silk Street, the darknet market helmed by the mysterious Dread Pirate Roberts. Though Silk Street was controversial (the “stuff” most individuals purchased and offered was, in fact, unlawful medication), it represented a radical instance of the type of freedom that Bitcoin offers.
Later in 2013, Silk Street was shut down by the FBI, and Ross Ulbricht was revealed because the market’s founder and the true id behind the Dread Pirate Roberts pseudonym — though he claims a number of folks operated the account. Ulbricht was sentenced to 2 life sentences plus forty years in jail with out the potential for parole.
For my part — and that of many Bitcoiners — it was extreme. Even should you imagine Ulbricht was responsible of every little thing he was convicted of (all nonviolent crimes), he was made an instance of, and didn’t truly need to be locked up for the remainder of his days.
Thankfully, Ulbricht was granted a full and unconditional pardon from President Trump in January of this 12 months. The founding father of Silk Street, in a really literal sense, has regained his freedom.
This version of Bitcoin Journal celebrates and highlights the liberty facet of Bitcoin with a spread of articles and art work specializing in the folks and initiatives that use bitcoin to advance liberty, and those that make this attainable… with a particular concentrate on Ulbricht and Silk Street.
For different tales about bitcoin as freedom cash, flip the journal round!
Welcome to The Freedom Challenge.
Aaron van Wirdum
Don’t miss your chance to own The Freedom Issue—that includes never-before-seen letters from Ross Ulbricht and his mom, Lyn. Restricted run. Solely accessible whereas provides final.
This piece is the Letter from the Editor featured within the newest print version of Bitcoin Journal, The Freedom Challenge. We’re sharing it right here as an early have a look at the concepts explored all through the complete subject.