Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of the Bitcoin privacy tool Samourai Wallet, spent Christmas Eve documenting his first day inside a US federal prison.
The personal account was shared in a letter that quickly circulated across the crypto community.
Rodriguez is serving a five-year sentence linked to his role in developing a crypto mixing protocol.
In the letter, he described surrendering himself to prison authorities ahead of the Christmas holiday.
He detailed the intake process, including searches, medical screenings and placement into prison housing.
The developer said the transition into incarceration was emotionally difficult given the timing close to Christmas.
While not at all comfortable, it is manageable.
Keonne Rodriguez said, adding:
While I rather be at home with my wife and family, there are far worse places I could have ended up.
He added that he was grateful for the atmosphere inside the prison facility.
I am thankful that all the prisoners here are respectful and downright friendly.
Keonne Rodriguez said.
The letter was dated Christmas Eve and marked his seventh day at the prison camp.
Rodriguez said he was scheduled to receive his wife as his first visitor on Christmas Day.
His imprisonment has reignited debate over the legal risks faced by developers of crypto privacy tools.
The case has become a focal point for discussions around open-source software and criminal liability.
Industry observers have compared Rodriguez’s prosecution with the ongoing case against Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm.
Critics argue the cases raise concerns about whether writing and maintaining code can be treated as a criminal act.
Rodriguez was sentenced on 19 November following charges connected to the crypto mixing protocol.
Privacy advocates say the prosecution could have a chilling effect on innovation in open-source development.
A petition calling for clemency for Rodriguez has gathered more than 12,000 signatures.
The petition described the case as “a chilling attack on free speech and innovation.”
Supporters argue that Rodriguez did not directly facilitate criminal activity.
The clemency campaign has drawn attention from political figures in the United States.
US President Donald Trump said he would review Rodriguez’s case after the sentence began.
Speaking to reporters on 16 December, Trump said he had heard about the matter.
I will take a look at it.
Donald Trump said.
Trump added that he was not familiar with all the details but was open to reviewing the situation.
Following Trump’s comments, Rodriguez publicly appealed for a presidential pardon.
In a social media post, he framed his prosecution as an example of “lawfare” by the previous administration.
Rodriguez argued that his case involved no direct victims.
He accused regulators and judges of targeting him as part of an anti-innovation agenda.
Trump has not issued further statements since indicating he would review the case.
The possibility of executive clemency has remained in focus as Rodriguez begins serving his sentence.
The case continues to spark broader debate over privacy, regulation and accountability in the crypto sector.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $87,192.53.