Breaking: US Government Transfers 29,800 Bitcoin From Silk Road

Godfrey Benjamin
July 29, 2024 Updated July 30, 2024
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Highlights

  • The US government has transferred more than $2 billion in Bitcoin
  • This equates to more than 29,000 BTC in two transactions
  • This selloff is coming at a time when the BTC is recovering from German selloffs

The United States Government has just transferred more than $2 billion worth of Bitcoin (BTC) from the stash it confiscated from the dark web marketplace – Silk Road. This marks one of the biggest Bitcoin transfers from the government in recent times, a move that is rattling the market.

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Bitcoin Not Free From Government Selloffs

According to data from Arkham Intelligence, the transfer is linked to the wallet address labeled “U.S. Government: Silk Road DOJ Confiscated Funds (bc1qj).” This wallet moved approximately 29,800 BTC in two tranches.

The first involved the transfer of 27,799 BTC and another worth 0.001 BTC to a different wallet. While on-chain data depicts transparency in fund movements, it becomes immediately unclear the reasons for these transfers. Markedly, this is not the first of such transfer that the US government is conducting this month.

In the first week of July, right when faced a price dip, the US government transferred 237 BTC. worth approximately $14 million at the time. The funds came from the loot originally seized from Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turogin, two Estonian crypto entrepreneurs in a large-scale crypto fraud scheme. Before the huge transfer, an initial transfer of 11.84 BTC took place, probably as a test transaction.

Last week, the US government completed another transfer of 60 Bitcoin, worth nearly $4 million. The BTC first went to a wallet address identified as “34tXj..HUXfd” and then moved to Coinbase Prime. Like in the present case, the reason for transfer remains unknown but it has triggered unrest amongst members of the crypto community.

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DOJ Moving Against Donald Trump’s Plans

The US Government chose to make this move weeks after the German Government ended its Bitcoin selloff bid. In Germany’s case, Bitcoin price reeled in losses, declining to as low as $52,000. Market observers and analysts are concerned about the negative impacts continuous selloffs would have on BTC price.

This transfer from the DoJ comes just after the Bitcoin Conference 2024 where Donald Trump said he will HODL the BTC currently owned by the US Government. Since crypto has become a major talking in the coming election, almost all the candidates, except Kamala Harris have reiterated their Bitcoin stance.

Read More: Galaxy CEO Warns Kamala Harris Against Senate Warren’s Anti-Crypto Stance

 

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Benjamin Godfrey is a blockchain enthusiast and journalists who relish writing about the real life applications of blockchain technology and innovations to drive general acceptance and worldwide integration of the emerging technology. His desires to educate people about cryptocurrencies inspires his contributions to renowned blockchain based media and sites. Benjamin Godfrey is a lover of sports and agriculture. Follow him on X, Linkedin
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.