The White House is considering 250 presidential pardons to mark America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, according to reporting from The Wall Street Journal. Multiple convicted and fugitive crypto figures—including FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, Samourai Wallet developer Keonne Rodriguez, and Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm—are seeking clemency as part of the potential mass pardon initiative. The proposal signals a possible turning point for the crypto sector after Trump’s second-term administration already pardoned several high-profile blockchain figures, including BitMEX co-founders and Binance’s Changpeng Zhao.
Crypto Founders Join Broader Pardon Push
The 250-pardon proposal follows Trump’s first-term precedent of using executive clemency strategically. In his second term alone, Trump has already issued over 1,500 pardons, including several to crypto defendants. CZ Zhao, who served four months in prison, and BitMEX co-founders Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo, and Samuel Reed all received pardons. Ross Ulbricht, the Silk Road founder serving a life sentence, was also pardoned in January 2025. More than 16,000 formal pardon requests were submitted last year, creating intense competition for the 250 slots.
Rodriguez and Tornado Cash Seek Clemency
Keonne Rodriguez, Samourai Wallet’s lead developer, has emerged as a leading candidate for clemency. A petition supporting his pardon has garnered 16,082 signatures as of Thursday. Trump said in December 2025 he would review Rodriguez’s case and explore a pardon. Roman Storm, convicted in August 2024 for his role in Tornado Cash, and his co-founder Roman Semenov—currently fugitive—are also seeking relief. Separate petitions for the Tornado Cash co-founders have collected only 22 and 9 signatures respectively, suggesting minimal grassroots support compared to Rodriguez’s campaign.
Bankman-Fried Pardon Unlikely Despite Advocacy
Sam Bankman-Fried’s chances appear dim despite ongoing advocacy for his inclusion. Trump ruled out a pardon for the FTX founder earlier in 2026, despite social media campaigns pushing for clemency. Bankman-Fried, sentenced to 25 years in 2024, remains a polarizing figure. Crypto advocates argue that developers like Rodriguez and the Tornado Cash founders shouldn’t be held liable for third-party misuse of their software—a legal theory that has gained traction in tech policy circles. However, Bankman-Fried’s case centers on direct fraud allegations, a distinction that appears to matter to Trump’s pardon calculus.
July 4 Timeline Adds Urgency to Pardon Bids
The July 4, 2026 date—or Trump’s June 14 birthday—provides a potential announcement window for the 250 pardons. No official White House confirmation of the pardon plan has been issued, and selection criteria remain opaque. The outcome will shape regulatory expectations for crypto development and custody, particularly around privacy tools and decentralized finance. Rodriguez’s case has become the most closely watched due to explicit White House engagement and his December 2025 review commitment.
