Summary:
Blockchain data reveals that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is transferring a large amount of seized Bitcoin connected to Silk Road. This suggests that the government may soon sell more of the confiscated BTC. Two Silk Road BTC addresses moved a total of 9,825 BTC in the past 24 hours. The first address transferred around 825 BTC while the second moved approximately 9,000 BTC. The remaining 30,174 BTC from Silk Road is held in a third address and has not been moved yet. These recent transfers are valued at $300 million, which is a 50% increase in value since September 7. The government previously sold 9,861 BTC in March 2023, drawing criticism from the crypto community for the timing and transaction fees.
Key Points:
– The DOJ is transferring a significant amount of seized Bitcoin from Silk Road, indicating a potential upcoming sale.
– Two Silk Road BTC addresses moved a total of 9,825 BTC in the past 24 hours.
– The remaining 30,174 BTC from Silk Road is still held in a third address and has not been moved.
– The recent transfers are valued at $300 million, a 50% increase in value since September 7.
– The government previously sold 9,861 BTC in March 2023, drawing criticism for the timing and transaction fees.
Total Bitcoin Held By USG:
Data from Glassnode shows that the government held 204,013 BTC before these recent transfers, making it the largest known individual holder of Bitcoin. It is uncertain if an upcoming sale of BTC will heavily impact the market. Bitcoin’s daily trading volume is over $12.7 billion, suggesting the market may be able to absorb the sale without significant trouble. The manner in which the coins will be sold, whether all at once or in smaller batches, is also unclear. A Glassnode report states that Bitcoin’s price has a “firm foundation” under $30,000 based on the number of coins traded at that price level.
Hot Take:
The Department of Justice’s continuous movement and potential sale of seized Bitcoin from Silk Road highlights the government’s efforts to liquidate its cryptocurrency holdings. However, the timing and handling of previous sales have drawn criticism from the crypto community. As the government remains the largest known individual holder of Bitcoin, the impact of a future sale on the market remains uncertain. The market’s ability to absorb the sale may be determined by factors such as trading volume and the method of selling the coins.