The two developers behind the privacy-focused Bitcoin app samurai wallet have now been sentenced to years behind bars. Keonne Rodriguez was convicted a few weeks agoand William Lonergan Hill was there He was sentenced on Wednesday. These prison sentences have been heavily criticized by Bitcoin users and financial advocates, as the Samurai software was not a bitcoin wallet software that was intended to improve privacy in transactions.
That said, there were some middleware elements in the Samurai build, as the developers created servers and collected funds for some of the things in the Wallet app. In addition, Samourai Wallet accepts the use of its programs and services by hackers and businesses found in social media.
Therefore, it is a false comparison because the owners and operators of a VPN business cannot “conspire” through the operation of the business to violate the VPN law.
— James Farrell (@Farrell1969) November 20, 2025
The Mearaurai Wallet Developers’ convictions relate to the use of their software and services for money laundering purposes, which is in the same ballpark as the one Crypto Exchange Minance charges, previously charged in 2023. CZ was there Sent to prison for his role in not using adequate levels of anti-money laundering when exchanging money before closing received a pardon from Trump.
However, reporting from the beginning of the year – indicated Business connection between CZ and Trump-Crypto business interests. Optics of the Fort has caused many, including a retired Justice Department chief, to Claim that this is a clear case of fraud and a clear quid pro quo agreement.
Now, there is Change Request.ORG Asking President Trump to pardon the developers of Samurai Wallet. However, there is no indication that these Bitcoin Wallet developers have any business relationship with Trump, his family, or anyone else he has met. In other words, the lack of forgiveness of these developers has the potential to make the optics around the CZ more forgiving.
It would mean a lot if you could sign this petition @realAndTrump Forgiving me and Bill
In 30 days we will report to the prison. Unless the President intervenes.
Developers should not have to deal with the actions of bad actors using their software#freeesamourai…
– Keonne Rodriguez (@keonne) November 19, 2025
While there are points of integration with the Samourai wallet software, binance is used as a subtle, reciprocal exchange with more control over user funds. While the legal liability associated with the services provided by samurai wallet can be disputed, it does not appear that they are doing anything less materially than CZ, who is Trump explained As a victim of the “Biden witch hunt,” according to people close to him.
That said, one area of difference that can be highlighted in these two cases is that samurai wallet is specifically aimed at increasing user privacy, while minunce’s focus is on working as an exchange. Then again, the argument can be made that Minance’s entire business model is successfully built on innovative standards when it comes to tracking the financial activities of their users.
The developers of Samourai Wallet are also given much longer sentences than CZ. Rodriguez got five years, Hill got four years, and CZ got four months.
While Trump’s second term as President has largely involved Crypto Deptering and Stablecoin Promotion up to this point, there is still an opportunity to implement additional protections for Bitcoin Provents and the House and it is now controversial and now under debate in the Senate. This Bill includes such protection in its current form, but it is yet to be finalised.
Back to DC pushing market structure rules. There has been a lot of progress since I was last here which is great to see. I am hoping for a Clarity Bill mark in December, and to continue @PotusMost of the time the desk is in the back.
This Bill will get Crypto and open to… pic.twitter.com/BW7TUJZL80
– Brian Armstrong (@brian_ardstrong) November 18, 2025
It should be known that Trump and before The convicted operator of the Darknet Market Silk Road has been pardoned As part of his political innovation of Bitcoin users, so it is possible to hope that the developers of Samurai Wallet.
