Taylor Lorenz’s Power User A Crypto Convict's Spectacular Comeback Tour: How Ross Ulbricht Became A Powerful MAGA Influencer
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Oct 8, 2025 In this fascinating discussion, Ryan Mac, a New York Times reporter with over a decade of experience covering Ross Ulbricht and the Silk Road saga, explores Ulbricht's extraordinary journey from prison to MAGA influencer. They delve into the infamous Silk Road's operation, the role of Bitcoin, and the supportive network that emerged around Ross, including his mother’s relentless advocacy. Mac reveals Ulbricht’s newfound political ambitions and his potential as a crypto-libertarian hero while assessing the complex legacy of illegal tech trade.
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How Silk Road Functioned
- The Silk Road was an early dark web marketplace that functioned like an "Amazon of drugs" using Tor for access.
- It combined anonymized browsing and Bitcoin payments to create a scalable illegal marketplace.
Bitcoin Enabled The Market
- Bitcoin provided an anonymized payment layer that made the Silk Road practically usable for large-scale transactions.
- The site used escrow and ratings to mimic legitimate marketplaces while shielding buyers and sellers.
Arrest In A Library
- Silk Road existed for roughly two years before federal agents shut it down and arrested Ross in a San Francisco library.
- Agents caught him logged into Silk Road, which became the pivotal arrest moment in October 2013.
