**Most Influential: Ross Ulbricht**

In a stunning turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, marking a significant milestone for the crypto industry. The pardon has sparked a wave of similar releases among some of the biggest names in crypto.

Ross Ulbricht, who was convicted in February 2015 and sentenced to a double life sentence (plus another 40 years), spent 12 years behind bars after being found guilty of narcotics trafficking, conspiracy, and hacking charges. The pardon, which was announced in January, has been seen as a major victory for the Libertarian Party, which had pledged its support for Trump.

Trump's decision to pardon Ulbricht was met with widespread surprise, but it was not an isolated incident. In March, he pardoned former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes and his co-founders Samuel Reed and Benjamin Delo, as well as senior employee Greg Dwyer, who had all pleaded guilty to Bank Secrecy Act violations.

But that's not all – Trump also granted a pardon to HDR Global Trading, the corporate entity that operates the BitMEX platform. This move has significant implications for the crypto industry, as it opens the door for Hayes and his team to re-enter the U.S. market and for BitMEX to begin conducting business in the country with ease.

The pardons don't stop there. Trump has also released former Binance founder Changpeng Zhao from his Bank Secrecy Act-related charges, paving the way for him to return to the U.S. market as well. These moves have sent shockwaves through the crypto industry, leaving many wondering what's next.

But it's not just the crypto executives who have benefited from Trump's pardons. In recent weeks, he has also pardoned former Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernández (convicted of conspiring to distribute over 400 tons of narcotics), commuted the sentence of David Gentile (who was convicted on securities and wire fraud charges tied to a $1.6 billion scheme) and pardoned Rep. Henry Cuellar (indicted on bribery charges with a trial set for next year).

As we look ahead, it remains to be seen if another crypto executive will be granted a pardon. FTX founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has been making headlines in recent weeks as he serves his 25-year prison sentence while awaiting an appeals court's verdict on his attempt at a new trial.

With the crypto industry continuing to evolve, one thing is certain – Trump's pardons have set a precedent for future releases. As we count down the most influential figures of 2025, Ross Ulbricht's pardon stands out as a major milestone in the world of cryptocurrency.

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