College Friend Offered Programming Help to Silk Road, Says Ulbricht Later Sold the Site

A college friend of Ross Ulbricht, Richard Bates, says he provided programming help for Silk Road.

Visibly uncomfortable on the stand, Bates indicated that he turned against Ulbricht as part of a deal with authorities to pardon his roles in Silk Road.

Originally, he was in the dark as to the nature of the project he was working on. Ulbricht eventually told him that he was "working on a website where people can buy drugs" after Bates threatened to stop offering his assistance. Bates was both "shocked" and "intrigued" by the site. He made his own drug purchases and continued offering his services even after becoming aware of the site's nature.

The two also worked on a project to create a Bitcoin Bitcoin While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that Read this Term Exchange Exchange An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv Read this Term which would help launder money.

Bates, who currently works for eBay, got a visit from law enforcement agents shortly after Ulbricht's arrest. Bates says he initially lied and denied any connection with Ulbricht or the site, but later shared the story after agents promised not to prosecute him for his work on the site.

His testimony was brought forth as a cooperating witness for the government. It has been interpreted by some as highly incriminating of Ulbricht in the case. However, Bates also said that in 2011, Ulbricht couldn't shut down the site because he sold it to someone else. This reinforces the defense's position that although Ulbricht did create the site, he was the not the true 'kingpin', "Dread Pirate Roberts" (DPR). Indeed, Ulbricht's attorney Joshua Dratel highlighted this point when cross-examining Bates.