Ian Freeman: One of Many US Political Prisoners Currently Rotting in a Cage for Promoting Liberty
It's all about control
Ian Freeman is sitting in a cage for the “crime” of helping people use their own money. A peaceful advocate for financial sovereignty and longtime libertarian radio host, Freeman was targeted by the state for daring to operate outside its rigged, controlled financial system. He joins a growing list of political prisoners like Roger Ver and countless others who have been railroaded simply for providing alternatives to the government’s monetary monopoly.
His crime? Running an unlicensed bitcoin exchange business—meaning he helped people opt out of the financial surveillance grid without cutting the government in on the deal. For this, he was sentenced to eight years in prison and has been ordered to pay $3.5 million in restitution to so-called “victims” who, according to Fox News, fell prey to online scams that had nothing to do with Freeman himself.
Much like Roger Ver, whose legal battle has become a warning shot against crypto dissidents, Freeman was made an example of. The state’s message is clear: you can’t be trusted to make your own financial choices without the government’s approval. And if you try to help others escape the banking cartel’s control, they will hunt you down.
A Multi-Year Federal Manhunt for a Man Who Helped People Use Bitcoin
Freeman’s persecution began with a five-year, multi-agency investigation, culminating in a pre-dawn SWAT raid on his home in 2021. As Reason Magazine reported, armed agents stormed his residence, throwing grenades, smashing windows, and seizing his assets—all because he failed to ask the state’s permission to exchange bitcoin.
Despite never knowingly harming anyone, he was convicted on bogus money laundering charges, accused of allowing scammers to use his bitcoin services. The government even admitted in court that Freeman was not conspiring with fraudsters—yet still painted him as responsible.
Freeman had implemented his own "Know Your Customer" (KYC) safeguards, often requiring photo IDs, handwritten notes verifying transactions, and phone interviews. But rather than acknowledging this, the feds used his own records against him, twisting his attempts at due diligence into evidence for his conviction.
This is lawfare at its finest—punishing a man not for committing a crime, but for daring to exist outside the state’s financial control.
https://thefreethoughtproject.com/be-the-change/ian-freeman-one-of-many-us-political-prisoners-currently-rotting-in-a-cage-for-promoting-liberty