Former President and current leading Republican candidate Donald Trump faced a tumultuous reception during his unprecedented address at the Libertarian Party's convention last night. This marked the first time a major party candidate addressed a rival party's convention.

"I think you should nominate me or at least vote for me and we should win together... What is the purpose of the Libertarian Party getting 3% [of the vote]?" Trump declared early on, prompting a chorus of boos. His pledge to appoint a Libertarian to a cabinet post and include "Libertarians in senior posts" received a mixed response of cheers and jeers.

However, Trump scored significant points with the audience when he briefly touched on crypto policy, pledging to support the crypto industry and commute the sentence of Ross Ulbricht "on day one." This cause is particularly popular among Libertarian Party members. Trump's promise to free Ulbricht, who is serving a life sentence without parole for his role in creating and operating the dark web marketplace Silk Road, led to nearly half a minute of exuberant chants of "Free Ross!" from the audience, many wielding signs with the slogan.

Ulbricht, known pseudonymously as "Dread Pirate Roberts," became a symbol of the early Bitcoin community. Reports suggest that Trump had considered clemency for Ulbricht at the end of his presidential term, with support from key advisors, but ultimately left office without taking action.

Trump Pledges to End "Crusade to Crush Crypto"

Trump's remarks on crypto aimed to contrast his stance with that of the current administration. Reading from a teleprompter, he promised to stop "Joe Biden's crusade to crush crypto" and ensure the future of crypto remains in the U.S., support the right to self-custody, and prevent the development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). "To the nation's fifty million crypto holders I say this: with your vote, I will keep Elizabeth Warren and her goons away from your Bitcoin," Trump declared.

These brief comments were the only crypto-related statements in one of Trump's shortest campaign speeches to date. Recently, Trump has shown a warming attitude towards crypto; his campaign announced it would accept donations in cryptocurrencies, and he posted an endorsement of the crypto industry on Truth Social shortly before his Libertarian Convention address.

Trump's evolving stance on crypto, alongside his promise to support Ulbricht, seems aimed at appealing to Libertarian voters and the broader crypto community, highlighting his strategic effort to build a coalition ahead of the upcoming presidential election.