Silk Road Creator to Make First Public Appearance at Las Vegas’ BTC Conference

Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, announced Thursday that he will make his first public appearance since his release from prison at an upcoming Bitcoin event.

He said in a post to X (formerly known as Twitter):

"It's official. I am excited to announce that I will be making my first public appearance and speech since my release from prison at The Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas.”

In a video clip shared shortly after his release, he hinted at his desire to speak publicly when the time was right:

Ulbricht noted at the time:

“For the next however long we need, I'm going to be with my family so that we can reunite and be whole again and heal,” Ulbricht said at the time. But there's a lot to talk about, and I look forward to re-engaging with the free world. And so once I'm feeling up to it, we'll talk again.”

Ulbricht Freed from Imprisonment After Trump’s Pardon

In January, President Donald Trump granted Ulbricht a full and unconditional pardon, marking a dramatic turn in one of the most controversial chapters of Bitcoin’s early history.

Ulbricht had been serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for founding and operating Silk Road, the infamous darknet marketplace that enabled the sale of drugs and illicit services.

By using Bitcoin as its primary medium of exchange, Silk Road played a pivotal role in demonstrating the cryptocurrency’s real-world utility—and in shaping its public perception.

Bitcoin Conference to Take Place 27 to 29 May 2025

The Bitcoin Conference—widely regarded as the premier global event for the Bitcoin ecosystem—will be held in Las Vegas from 27 to 29 May 2025.

The move to Las Vegas reflects organizers’ intent to spotlight Bitcoin in a dynamic, fast-growing city that’s increasingly embraced digital innovation and crypto-friendly policies.

David Bailey, CEO of BTC Inc, expressed:

“Las Vegas has experienced an incredible transformation over the last few years, establishing itself as a hub for entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and economic growth. Under the leadership of Mayor Goodman and Governor Lombardo, the city has also embraced the Bitcoin community with open arms. Accordingly, we believe that Las Vegas is a natural and obvious fit for The Bitcoin Conference, and we can’t wait to celebrate the continued acceleration of Bitcoin with the local community. “

Joe Lombardo, Governor of Nevada, stated:

“We’re excited to welcome The Bitcoin Conference to Nevada in 2025. The decision to move this historic event to Las Vegas not only highlights our state’s burgeoning position as a major financial and technological hub, but also our passion for welcoming innovators to our state.”

Attendees can expect a rich mix of keynote panels, hands-on tech showcases, and exclusive networking opportunities, alongside appearances by influential voices in policy, business, and culture.

The event aims to foster meaningful dialogue, community building, and forward-thinking collaboration across the Bitcoin landscape.