Natalie Brunell interviews Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of Samourai Wallet, about his five-year federal prison sentence for conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. Rodriguez explains Samourai Wallet's function as a non-custodial Bitcoin wallet focused on privacy, particularly through its Whirlpool coin mixer. He argues that he didn't believe he was breaking the law, citing FinCEN guidelines that exempt non-custodial services from money transmitter regulations. Rodriguez details the events leading to his guilty plea, including the government's withholding of exculpatory evidence and a change in judges. He addresses allegations of facilitating criminal activity, refuting claims that he intended to serve illicit markets and emphasizing his commitment to financial privacy. Rodriguez also discusses the business model, the forfeiture of company earnings, and his message to President Trump regarding a potential pardon, urging action against a weaponized Department of Justice.
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