Legal Milestones Set for Samourai Wallet Developers' Pre-Trial Proceedings
A U.S. court has scheduled key pre-trial motions for Samourai Wallet developers Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill. The case, which centers on allegations of money laundering, has sparked discussions about the legal risks faced by privacy-focused software developers. The trial is set to begin on November 3, 2025.
During the latest pre-trial hearing, the court established a timeline for upcoming legal motions in the case against Rodriguez and Hill. Both developers, accused of conspiracy to commit money laundering, appeared composed as industry journalists observed proceedings.
The defendants, Rodriguez and Hill, developed Samourai Wallet, a Bitcoin wallet designed for enhanced user privacy. Prosecutors claim their software was used to launder over $100 million, though there is no allegation that they directly collaborated with criminal entities.
This case is a big deal for privacy advocates and open-source developers, as it could set a precedent for holding software creators legally accountable for user actions. The outcome may influence the future of financial privacy tools and free speech protections.
Timeline / Dates:
May 9, 2025 – Initial motion filing.
June 6, 2025 – Prosecution’s response to the motion.
June 20, 2025 – Defense's reply to the prosecution’s response.
July 15, 2025 – Prosecution’s expert witness disclosure.
July 16, 2025 – Next in-person hearing.
August 8, 2025 – Defense’s expert witness disclosure.
November 3, 2025 – Trial commencement.
Rodriguez expressed gratitude to supporters who have contributed to the Peer-to-Peer Rights Fund, which is financing their legal defense. The case is viewed as a pivotal moment for Bitcoin privacy tools, particularly in the context of increasing regulatory scrutiny. If the prosecution's stance is upheld, it could set a precedent that makes software developers liable for how their tools are used, potentially stifling innovation in financial privacy. The lack of evidence linking the developers to direct criminal activity raises concerns about the expanding reach of anti-money laundering laws.
