Advocates for Bitcoin and digital privacy are intensifying their calls for a presidential pardon for Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, the developers behind Samourai Wallet. The campaign, which includes a petition with over 3,200 signatures, argues that their conviction sets a dangerous precedent for software development in the United States.

Rodriguez and Hill were sentenced in November to five and four years in prison, respectively, after pleading guilty to charges of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business. They are scheduled to report to prison next year, but supporters hope for intervention before then.

A Misapplication of the Law?

The Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI), a Washington-based think tank, published a detailed argument on December 2 asserting that the prosecution fundamentally misapplies federal law. The core of their case is that non-custodial software tools, like Samourai Wallet, should not be classified under the same framework as financial intermediaries that take custody of user funds.

According to the BPI, treating the developers as money transmitters blurs the critical legal line between software publishers and financial institutions. The institute warns that letting the convictions stand could stifle innovation, particularly for privacy-enhancing technologies in the U.S. A pardon, the BPI stated, would “correct a clear misapplication of federal law” and reaffirm that publishing non-custodial software is not a criminal act.

Community Rallies in Support

The push for a pardon extends beyond policy groups, with prominent figures in the crypto community voicing their support. The online petition has steadily gained traction, reflecting a widespread belief that the developers have been unfairly targeted.

Walker America, a notable commentator, posted that President Trump should pardon the developers if he genuinely wants the U.S. to be a global Bitcoin hub, arguing the government shouldn’t imprison developers while overlooking crimes by major banks. Others, including Max Keiser, have attempted to bring the case to the attention of influencers within the president’s inner circle.

Pardons and Political Optics

The situation is further complicated by the administration’s history of crypto-related pardons, including for Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht and former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao. This history has led some to question the fairness of the justice system, highlighting a perceived double standard.

Critics point out the apparent paradox: a billionaire exchange founder involved in a massive compliance failure receives clemency, while two open-source developers face lengthy prison sentences. As the deadline for the developers to report to prison approaches, advocates say the final decision will have lasting implications for the future of software freedom and privacy in America.