2025-04-10T20:34:52.000Z

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In an exciting development for cryptocurrency enthusiasts and supporters of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the infamous Silk Road, Ulbricht has announced that he will make his first public appearance since being released from prison. This momentous event is set to take place at an upcoming Bitcoin conference scheduled for late May in Las Vegas. His presence is expected to draw significant attention, given his controversial history and the ongoing discussions around the implications of his actions on the cryptocurrency landscape.

Ulbricht took to the social media platform X to confirm his attendance and his intention to address attendees at the conference, marking a pivotal moment in his journey following his pardon. In January, former President Donald Trump granted Ulbricht a full and unconditional pardon, freeing him from a life sentence that had been imposed due to his role in operating the Silk Road, a darknet marketplace notorious for facilitating illegal transactions using Bitcoin.

After his release, Ulbricht has expressed a strong desire to reconnect with society, prioritizing quality time with his family as he reintegrates into the world. His upcoming appearance at the Bitcoin conference is not only a personal milestone but also an opportunity for him to engage with the cryptocurrency community and share his insights on the evolving landscape that he once significantly impacted.

In other news within the cryptocurrency sector, Jack Dorsey's financial services firm, Block, Inc., has agreed to pay $40 million to settle allegations of failing to adequately implement anti-money laundering (AML) measures on its Cash App platform. An investigation by the New York Department of Financial Services revealed that the company did not enforce proper risk-based controls, leading to high-risk Bitcoin transactions being processed without adequate oversight. As part of the settlement, Block is required to appoint an independent monitor to oversee its compliance practices, which the firm has already begun improving in response to the investigation.

This recent settlement with New York regulators concludes all outstanding state regulatory issues for Block, following a substantial $80 million settlement reached with 48 other state regulators earlier this year over similar compliance failures.

Meanwhile, in a move that reflects confidence in the current market despite bearish trends, Node Capital has launched its first liquid token fund aimed at investing in listed tokens. The firm believes that the current market conditions present attractive entry points for pre-ETF crypto assets. This open-ended fund will accept capital quarterly, focusing on long-term investments ranging from two to five years, rather than short-term trading strategies. Node Capital is expanding its operations, now managing a total of $50 million in assets and supporting projects like Ether.fi and Axelar.

Interestingly, spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States have experienced $127 million in net outflows this past Wednesday, marking their fifth consecutive day of losses. Notably, BlackRocks IBIT and Grayscales GBTC were the primary contributors to these outflows, while Bitwises BITB was the only fund to report net inflows of $6.7 million. This trend comes despite the overall market rally triggered by former President Trumps announcement of a 90-day pause on most tariffs, which has positively influenced both traditional and crypto markets.

Lastly, Bitcoin life insurance startup Meanwhile has successfully raised $40 million in its Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to $60.75 million. This capital will be utilized to expand its offerings of BTC-denominated life insurance products. The funding round was co-led by Framework Ventures and Fulgur Ventures, with notable participation from prominent figures such as former Xapo Bank CEO Wences Casares. Meanwhiles flagship product, BTC Whole Life, provides life insurance coverage featuring tax-advantaged growth, bitcoin-backed premiums, payouts, and policy loans.

As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve, events like Ulbricht's upcoming conference appearance, alongside regulatory developments and funding within the industry, indicate an ongoing and dynamic conversation around digital assets.