Thread 🧵: The Samourai Wallet Case – Bitcoin, Privacy & the Law 1/ This week, attention turns to the Samourai Wallet trial. Founders Keonne Rodriguez & William Hill were convicted for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Trump may review their case. ⚖️ #Bitcoin #Law 2/ Rodriguez faces 5 years, Hill 4. Their trial raises fundamental questions: Can developers be held liable for software enabling private Bitcoin transactions? Is code considered free speech? 💻 #Privacy 3/ The DOJ claims Samourai Wallet facilitated over $2B in unlawful transactions and helped launder $100M from dark web markets. But the software never held custody. How far does “software liability” go? 🕵️‍♂️ 4/ Historically, US courts have protected software as speech: Bernstein v. US (1999) confirmed cryptography code can be First Amendment-protected. But functional tools crossing certain lines can face regulation. #CodeIsSpeech 5/ The Samourai case tests these boundaries again. Can privacy software survive scrutiny under anti-money-laundering laws while defending developer freedoms? The implications are huge for open-source projects. 🔒 #SelfCustody 6/ Meanwhile, crypto regulation in the US evolves: FSOC drops digital assets from its risk list, focusing on economic growth. The SEC publishes a crypto custody guide, signaling a more investor-friendly stance. 📊 #BitcoinNews 7/ A pardon for Samourai founders would align with promises to protect self-custody rights & end the “anti-crypto crusade,” reinforcing privacy and developer freedom in the US. 🇺🇸 #BitcoinPolicy 8/ In short: this is more than a trial. It’s a test of legal precedent, financial privacy, and the role of software in the law. Every Bitcoin developer should pay attention. ⚡ #BitcoinLaw

Meme of the day #Bitcoin

🏦 The #SEC released a guidance bulletin for investors detailing crypto #custody best practices, risks, and #wallet types. It covers hot vs. cold wallets, self-custody, and third-party risks like rehypothecation. The guide marks a major shift from past hostility, aiming to educate investors and reflect the legacy financial system moving on-chain. 🇺🇸

⚡️ The U.S. Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) no longer flags digital assets as financial-system risks. Treasury Secretary Scott #Bessent emphasized sustainable economic growth over vulnerability monitoring. #Stablecoins are noted for potential illicit use, but crypto’s growing sector is now largely praised, signaling Trump-era regulators’ #crypto-friendly stance.

🇺🇸 President Donald #Trump said he’ll review the case of #Samourai Wallet co-founders Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill, convicted for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. A #pardon would protect developer freedoms and self-custody rights, aligning with Trump’s campaign promises to end the “anti-crypto crusade.” Rodriguez faces five years while Hill received four.