• TruthLabs claims that the Ethereum ICO was funded by seized Silk Street Bitcoin.
• Allegations recommend that Vitalik Buterin was conscious of this funding in early 2014.
• Criticism arises over Buterin’s lack of assist for Ross Ulbricht’s Freedom Motion.

Blockchain analysis analyst TruthLabs has accused Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin of cashing in on Bitcoin seized from Ross Ulbricht’s Silk Street pockets throughout Ethereum’s preliminary coin providing (ICO). denounced. The allegations arose after a web-based alternate between Buterin and Ulbricht on January 19, 2025.

Ulbricht, who’s serving a life sentence for working the Silk Street market, requested X to make clear his involvement within the meme coin that bears his identify. In response, Vitalik despatched a message of assist, calling Ulbricht’s life sentence “absurd” and expressing hope for his freedom.

TruthLabs claims

Earlier at this time, TruthLabs posted a collection of claims alleging that Bitcoin from Ulbricht’s seized pockets was used to fund the Ethereum ICO and the Ethereum Basis. They acknowledged that the collapse of the Silk Street and the confiscation of its belongings offered the monetary foundation for Ethereum’s success.

In keeping with TruthLabs, Buterin allegedly knew as early as January 2014 that the Ethereum ICO could be funded by Bitcoin linked to Silk Street belongings and the failed Mt.Gox alternate. The submit criticized Buterin for not main efforts to assist Ulbricht’s freedom, despite the fact that Ethereum allegedly profited from his incarceration.

“Vitalik, your ICO, and your basis pockets have been funded from Bitcoin that got here from Ross Ulbricht’s seized Silk Street pockets,” TruthLabs wrote.

In addition they accused Buterin of constructing grassroots actions like Free Loss DAO depending on public donations whereas offering minimal public assist himself.

broader context and reactions

Ross Ulbricht’s life sentence has lengthy been controversial, with supporters arguing for leniency and criticizing the severity of the sentence. The Free Ross DAO, a decentralized funding initiative, raised important funds to assist Ulbricht’s authorized efforts.

Neither Buterin nor the Ethereum Basis had responded to the allegations on the time of writing. Nevertheless, the claims have reignited debate over the origins of Ethereum’s funding and the moral obligations of its leaders.

In the meantime, throughout US President-elect Donald Trump’s election marketing campaign, he promised the crypto neighborhood that he would launch Silk Street founder Ross Ulbricht if he was re-elected. Particularly, with President Trump taking workplace at this time, it stays to be seen whether or not he’ll fulfill his guarantees.