Ross Ulbricht Raises $1.8M in Bitcoin Auction
The event follows Ulbricht’s presidential pardon by President Trump earlier this year.
Ulbricht announced the sale as a symbolic reset. “I’ve left Arizona, the state where I was in prison. It’s time to travel,” he shared in a message posted to the auction site. He added that the items represented a closed chapter and could hold value for others more than for himself.
From Sleeping Bags to Prison Art, Items Tell a Story
The auction catalog included a wide range of personal and prison-era memorabilia: a backpack, sleeping bag, clothing, a lock, and handwritten notes. Several original artworks created by Ulbricht while incarcerated also went up for sale.
Among the standout items was Ulbricht’s final prison ID card, which sold for 11 BTC—worth more than $1.1 million at the time of bidding. The ID photo shows Ulbricht smiling. “The guard tried to get me to stop smiling,” he wrote, “but my joy comes from within.”
Collaborative Painting with Fellow Inmate Draws Bids
One of the most emotionally resonant pieces—a painting titled “Archway”, created by Ulbricht and another prisoner known as “Omega”—fetched a bid of 1.01 BTC. Omega reportedly taught Ulbricht how to paint with oils during their time in prison.
Bidders have until Monday, June 2, to finalize payments and confirm their pledges.
The auction not only raised significant funds but also offered supporters and collectors a rare glimpse into the personal history of one of Bitcoin’s earliest and most controversial figures.
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Filed under: Bitcoin - @ June 1, 2025 12:47 pm