From cellblock to blockchain: Bitford Digital CEO Jill Ford wields Bitcoin to shake up TradFi

In November 2023, Jill Ford — a rising e-commerce entrepreneur — found herself trading spreadsheets for sentencing hearings, convicted of bank fraud and money laundering tied to a Main Street Lending Program loan.

Ford’s 20-month stint in federal prison wasn’t just a punishment; it was an education — one that exposed her firsthand to the stark inequities of the financial system and deepened her belief in Bitcoin (BTC) as a tool for economic justice.

Emerging from incarceration with more than just a second chance, Ford reentered the crypto world with a mission. She founded BitFord Digital, a Dallas-based company committed to sustainable and ethical Bitcoin mining—because, as she puts it, “Sustainability and ethics are non-negotiable.”

Now, she’s not just mining Bitcoin; she’s advocating for financial literacy, pushing for diversity in blockchain, and proving that decentralized finance can be a lifeline for those the traditional system leaves behind.

Read on for our conversation with Ford and learn how her journey is more than a comeback story.

How did prison reshape your perspective on traditional financial systems?

Honestly, my time in prison was eye-opening. I met so many women who were there because of financial offenses tied to the fiat banking system, and it really highlighted how flawed and unfair those systems can be. That’s when I realized just how powerful Bitcoin could be. It’s decentralized, transparent, and offers people a way to take control of their finances without relying on old, broken systems by removing barriers and providing access to financial freedom without dependence on intermediaries.

What went wrong with the loan from the Main Street Lending Program?

I made some mistakes—plain and simple. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the rules and requirements, and I made decisions that violated the program’s terms. It’s something I deeply regret, but it also taught me the value of accountability, which has become a cornerstone of how I approach everything now. It’s also fueled my renewed commitment to ethical business practices in everything I do.