President Trump to Review Samourai Wallet Case. Is a Pardon Possible?

President Donald Trump recently revealed that he is familiar with the case of Samourai Wallet co-founder Keonne Rodriguez and will weigh in on the matter. Rodriguez, sentenced to five years in prison, is scheduled to report to federal custody on December 19. The president commented on the case during an event at the White House after a reporter asked about it. 

Trump responded briefly, directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to examine the matter further. The latest development follows Trump’s recent decision to grant clemency to defendants in crypto cases.

Case Background and Prosecution Details

Samourai Wallet co-founders Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill were arrested in April 2024 by federal authorities on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating without a license for money transmission. Prosecutors claimed the app they created helped move over $100 million in illegal transactions from darknet markets and fraud schemes. 

Both men initially pleaded not guilty but later accepted plea deals in July 2025, admitting to the charge of unlicensed transmission. In November 2025, Rodriguez was sentenced to five years in prison, which is the maximum for the crime, along with a $250,000 fine. Hill received a four-year sentence.

The case was started under the previous administration but continued under Trump’s Department of Justice. Following the sentence, Rodriguez launched a public campaign seeking a presidential pardon from Trump for himself and fellow co-founder Hill. 

Is a Pardon Possible?

The #PardonSamourai campaign has brought together supporters of crypto on social media and through petitions. Rodriguez thanked his supporters on X for raising awareness that reached the president. Community leaders highlighted his case as a fight for “code as speech” under the First Amendment. 

Legal experts note that the president’s power to grant pardons is broad and does not require formal approval from the DOJ, as seen in recent cases. Rodriguez is hopeful about this, mainly because of Trump’s views on how the DOJ has been politically used in the past. 

Meanwhile, there is no clear timeline for a decision yet. Trump’s comment: “I’ve heard about it. I’ll look at it,” offers no commitment but signals openness to review. The outcome, however, remains uncertain as Rodriguez’s surrender date approaches. Trump’s review puts it at the crossroads of executive clemency and changes in crypto policy.