In 2025, Ross Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road, received 300 BTC to his crypto wallet, sparking public interest. The investigation is led by renowned blockchain analyst ZachXBT.
Context of Ulbricht's Bitcoin Receipt
In June 2025, Ross Ulbricht received 300 BTC from unknown sources, raising suspicions. Ulbricht, convicted for creating Silk Road, was pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump in January 2025. Immediately following his release, he received a considerable sum that was discussed in social media. Some suggested it could be hidden profits from Silk Road activities. Ulbricht also successfully auctioned off his prison memorabilia for $1.8 million.
ZachXBT's Investigation Process
ZachXBT, a well-known Bitcoin analyst, conducted a deep investigation into the source of the suspicious funds. He used professional blockchain analysis tools to discover their origin. During the analysis, two addresses with suspicious activity related to past years were identified. ZachXBT stated: 'It likely doesn’t appear to be a self-donation, but comes from questionable sources.'
Findings and Implications
ZachXBT’s investigation revealed that the funds likely originated from the Darknet marketplace AlphaBay, shut down in 2017. Chainalysis confirmed this, highlighting connections to illegal activity. The investigation made it clear that even complex fraudulent schemes cannot stay hidden. ZachXBT continues to emphasize the importance of blockchain analysis in preventing criminal activities in the cryptocurrency space.
ZachXBT's work shows that due to blockchain transparency, even illicit funds can be traced, creating new standards for the crypto industry.
