Will Silk Road Creator Ross Ulbricht Set Up a New Marketplace Following eBay Dissatisfactions?
Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road, is experiencing eBay verification setbacks following his pardon. Is he planning to introduce a new marketplace in 2025? Anticipated regulatory obstacles may arise as companies are likely to avoid connections with him after spending over a decade in prison prior to Donald Trump’s pardon.
Ross Ulbricht, recognized for spearheading the use of BTC as a currency while it was only three years old through the notorious Silk Road Marketplace, is back in the news.
(BTCUSDT)
After spending 12 years behind bars until Donald Trump granted him a pardon in January 2025, he is endeavoring to rebuild his life. To facilitate this, cryptocurrency enthusiasts introduced ROSS, one of the top meme coins to invest in.
He recently sought to auction some personal items on eBay, the worldwide marketplace.
Is eBay Deliberately Hindering Ross Ulbricht?
However, Ulbricht alleges that eBay is intentionally and frustratingly delaying his verification process.
In a message on X, Ulbricht voiced his irritation regarding eBay’s inaction to verify his identity for more than a week.
Been attempting to auction some personal items. @eBay requires ID verification. I submitted all documents a week ago and still no response. I’ve spoken with multiple eBay representatives & continually faced delays.
Today is the final day to begin an auction before I leave town. Do you know someone who can assist?
— Ross Ulbricht (@RealRossU) March 25, 2025
He had been striving to auction his possessions but encountered extended wait times for approval. Eventually, he suspected that the marketplace was purposefully avoiding his request due to his past, and he felt “discriminated against since his release.”
This scenario has sparked speculation that eBay intentionally distances itself from the former operator of the darknet marketplace.
Though eBay has not released an official comment, it’s plausible that the company is reluctant to permit the Silk Road founder on its platform, likely due to the stigma associated with his criminal record.
Prior to the pardon, Ulbricht was sentenced to a double life sentence plus 40 years for his involvement in the sale of drugs via Silk Road.
Authorities asserted that criminals transferred over $200 million through the site.
Ulbricht is not the only one.
Numerous others voice complaints about eBay’s customer service, discrepancies in verification guidelines, and strict seller regulations.
They argue the protocol unjustly favors buyers and sometimes accommodates scammers.
Is Ulbricht Considering His Own Marketplace?
This frustration has led Ulbricht to publicly contemplate creating his marketplace.
I have been informed that @eBay is aware of this but is opting to remain inactive. It’s the first time I’ve felt discriminated against since my release.
Perhaps I should establish my own e-commerce site. What should I name it…? https://t.co/xBqvL3dDuQ
— Ross Ulbricht (@RealRossU) March 25, 2025
Regardless of his intent, the idea of Ulbricht re-entering the e-commerce space is gaining attention.
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Another recommendation was for him to “seek or build a decentralized and censorship-free protocol.”
I believe this is the moment for long-term thinking, not for hasty actions. You are a strong proponent of free markets and a culture of social resilience. Pursue or develop a solution that is decentralized and resistant to censorship. eBay may possess a large audience, but what is required here is a…
— Modeotec (@ModeotecArt) March 26, 2025
Others also suggested he investigate options that base level untraceable digital currency, like Monero – one of the top cryptocurrencies to consider – while imposing no listing fees.
Hey @RealRossU! Check out https://t.co/4qsfRRXio3. It’s gaining popularity as the clear net, untraceable digital cash, peer-to-peer “eBay”. No listing fees, and no commissions on transactions. Sellers keep everything, just a minuscule Monero transaction fee. Additionally, there’s a multi…
— Douglas Tuman (@DouglasTuman) March 25, 2025
His background with Silk Road may provide insights for creating a new marketplace, but numerous challenges lie ahead.
Given eBay’s response, he will likely encounter regulatory oversight. As a result, some traditional financial institutions and payment gateways may be reluctant to partner with a venture associated with his name.
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Ross Ulbricht Snubbed by eBay: Is the Silk Road Founder Set to Start a New Marketplace in 2025?
- eBay is delaying Ross Ulbricht’s verification. Is discrimination involved?
- The Silk Road founder suggests the possibility of starting a new marketplace following his frustration with eBay
- Ulbricht has the capability to create a crypto-based marketplace, but he may face obstacles
The post Will Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht Launch a New Marketplace After eBay Frustrations? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.