Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road marketplace, has raised over $1.8 million in Bitcoin by auctioning off personal belongings through the Bitcoin-only platform Scarce City.
The auction featured a range of Ulbricht’s personal items from before his 2013 arrest and during his time in prison. These included a sleeping bag, backpack, drum, and even prison memorabilia like his final ID card, clothing, and original paintings.
One of the most valuable items was Ulbricht’s final prison ID card, which sold for a massive 5.5 BTC, over $576.28K at current prices. “The guard tried to get me to stop smiling for the photo,” Ulbricht wrote. “But my joy comes from within.”
Another highlight was a painting made with a fellow prisoner named Omega, which sold for 1.01 BTC. Bidders were required to deposit 1% of their bid as collateral, and last-minute bids extended the timer to keep things fair.
Ulbricht, who was pardoned by Donald Trump earlier this year, said he’s moving on with life. “I’ve left Arizona… I don’t need the reminders,” he wrote on the auction page.
Beyond the auction, he may still have access to millions in Bitcoin. Coinbase director Conor Grogan revealed that 430 BTC worth around $47 million remain untouched in wallets linked to Ulbricht.
Arkham Intelligence confirmed the wallets’ connection to Silk Road, with one holding over $9 million in Bitcoin.
Also Read: Silk Road’s Ross Ulbricht at Bitcoin 2025: “You didn’t abandon me”
