Watchman Privacy — Samourai Wallet Update
Host: Gabriel Custodiet
Guests: Econo Alchemist, Keone Rodriguez
Date: December 9, 2025
Episode Overview
This urgent episode of Watchman Privacy covers developments surrounding the sentencing of Samourai Wallet co-founders, Keone Rodriguez and Bill, who face imminent imprisonment. Host Gabriel Custodiet interviews privacy advocate Econo Alchemist and Keone Rodriguez himself to provide updates on the grassroots campaign for their pardon, the broader implications for privacy and software development, and specific ways listeners can support the cause.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Groundswell of Support for Samourai Wallet Developers
- Econo Alchemist describes the rapidly growing support on social media, particularly within the Bitcoin and privacy community, after years of relative inattention.
- “It started with a very small community of Samurai Wallet supporters... little by little and one by one, people started noticing what we were saying and it made them stop and pause... That just created this ripple effect... finally now seems to me like there's some traction behind this campaign, which is very good and overdue.”
— Econo Alchemist [01:49]
- “It started with a very small community of Samurai Wallet supporters... little by little and one by one, people started noticing what we were saying and it made them stop and pause... That just created this ripple effect... finally now seems to me like there's some traction behind this campaign, which is very good and overdue.”
The Drive for a Presidential Pardon
- The central effort is a campaign to obtain a pardon from Donald Trump, viewed as the last chance for justice.
- Specific actions include:
- Signing and sharing the petition at change.org/billandkeone.
- Donating directly to Bill and Keone's families via GiveSend Go (not change.org donations).
Spreading the Word & Leveraging Social Media
- Effective hashtags: #FreezeSamurai and #PardonSamurai.
- The importance of cross-posting beyond Twitter to reach broader audiences:
- “Twitter can kind of become an echo chamber. And we're trying to get the message out of that echo chamber to reach the goal of 100,000 signatures...”
— Econo Alchemist [05:24]
- “Twitter can kind of become an echo chamber. And we're trying to get the message out of that echo chamber to reach the goal of 100,000 signatures...”
- As of recording: 4,000 signatures on the petition, $8,000 raised ([06:07]).
Keone Rodriguez’s Speaking Tour & Reception
- After months of silence (since his arrest in April 2024), Keone is now speaking widely on podcasts, Twitter Spaces, and cable TV.
- “I've been everywhere and I'm going to continue to be everywhere that I can be all the way until my surrender date of December 19th... But after December 19th, you won't be hearing from me at all.”
— Keone Rodriguez [03:38]
- “I've been everywhere and I'm going to continue to be everywhere that I can be all the way until my surrender date of December 19th... But after December 19th, you won't be hearing from me at all.”
- Memorable appearance on Scott Gruber Show (Real America's Voice) and a significant Twitter Space event with Ross Ulbricht:
- “That Twitter space ended up being one of the most special experiences... Ross Ulbricht of the Silk Road joined... He gave me some advice on prison... and his support. This is a very unjust prosecution.”
— Keone Rodriguez [07:21]
- “That Twitter space ended up being one of the most special experiences... Ross Ulbricht of the Silk Road joined... He gave me some advice on prison... and his support. This is a very unjust prosecution.”
How Listeners Can Help
- Share and engage: Regularly amplify the message on all platforms, tag influencers and large podcasts.
- Gabriels's direct plea: “If you have connections or you are a listener of a very large podcast, even things like Joe Rogan... make that happen. Anybody, as Keone said, but people even outside of bitcoin... that would be the most impactful.” [08:44]
- Follow Bill's writing: Bill has been publishing his experience (in French) from prison on Substack—search “Recluso774.”
Why This Matters: The Broader Impact
- Unprecedented legal action: For the first time, non-custodial software developers are being sent to prison for how others used their software.
- “The United States government for the first time in history is throwing non custodial software developers in prison for the actions of the end users. This cannot continue... I firmly believe that freedom tech is fundamental to a free society, especially in the digitalized age that we're in now.”
— Econo Alchemist [09:22]
- “The United States government for the first time in history is throwing non custodial software developers in prison for the actions of the end users. This cannot continue... I firmly believe that freedom tech is fundamental to a free society, especially in the digitalized age that we're in now.”
- The situation is seen as a bellwether moment for privacy, technological sovereignty, and the rights of software developers.
- “This is a really important case that has deep ramifications for bitcoin and crypto in general and software developers in general. So this is something that does affect everyone and is a real threat to privacy and sovereignty. Probably the biggest threat we've faced thus far.”
— Keone Rodriguez [10:55]
- “This is a really important case that has deep ramifications for bitcoin and crypto in general and software developers in general. So this is something that does affect everyone and is a real threat to privacy and sovereignty. Probably the biggest threat we've faced thus far.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “We at that point, we kind of figured out like that the pardon was the, the last Hail Mary attempt to do justice in this situation. That has been a complete travesty.”
— Econo Alchemist [01:37] - “After December 19th, you won’t be hearing from me at all. So I'm trying to get as much as I can in before that happens.”
— Keone Rodriguez [03:38] - “That Twitter space ended up being one of the most special experiences... Ross Ulbricht of the Silk Road joined... We talked together for five or 10 minutes. He gave me some advice on prison. He gave me his support.”
— Keone Rodriguez [07:21] - “The United States government for the first time in history is throwing non custodial software developers in prison for the actions of the end users.”
— Econo Alchemist [09:22] - “This is a really important case that has deep ramifications for bitcoin and crypto in general and software developers in general... a real threat to privacy and sovereignty. Probably the biggest threat we've faced thus far.”
— Keone Rodriguez [10:55]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:39–02:37: Econo’s overview of grassroots support and urgency following sentencing
- 03:28–04:34: Keone on the explosion of media appearances and community response
- 05:24–06:07: Econo’s tactics for boosting awareness and the status update on signatures/fundraising
- 07:21–08:44: Keone recounts pivotal Twitter Space with Ross Ulbricht
- 09:22–10:27: Econo on why this legal case is historic and dangerous for tech freedom
- 10:55–11:53: Keone’s summation of why everyone should care and get involved
Action Links
- Petition: change.org/billandkeone
- Donate to families: [GiveSend Go (check billandkeone.org for correct link)]
- Bill's Substack: [Search “Recluso774” on Substack]
- Main campaign hub: billandkeone.org
Final Thoughts
This episode underscores the significance of the Samourai Wallet case—not just for those connected to Bitcoin, but for the future of privacy and freedom in software development. Listeners are urged to act by spreading the word, signing the petition, supporting the families, and demanding justice through a presidential pardon. The momentum is growing, but time is of the essence.