Highlights:
- The US government transferred 3,940 Bitcoin worth $240 million to Coinbase Prime wallet on June 26, 2024.
- Bitcoin seized from convicted drug trafficker Banmeet Singh, sentenced to five years in prison in April 2024.
- The US holds approximately 213,246 Bitcoins, valued at $13 billion, making it the largest state holder of Bitcoin.
The United States government transferred 3,940 Bitcoins to a Coinbase Prime wallet on June 26, 2024. Arkham Intelligence, a blockchain data firm, revealed this transaction, valued at approximately $240 million. The Bitcoins were seized from Banmeet Singh, a convicted drug trafficker, earlier this year.
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Update: US Government Sends $240M BTC to Coinbase Prime
The US Government just moved 3,940 BTC ($240M) to Coinbase Prime.
This BTC was originally seized from narcotics trafficker Banmeet Singh, and forfeited at trial in January 2024.
Transaction: https://t.co/hZ1CwqWCmF pic.twitter.com/9t6k8Wdizq
— Arkham (@ArkhamIntel) June 26, 2024
Seized Bitcoins from Banmeet Singh’s Case
Banmeet Singh was arrested by British authorities in London on drug distribution charges in 2019 and was extradited to the United States in 2023. During his trial in January 2024, Singh pled guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to five years in prison.
He was also ordered to forfeit over 8,100 Bitcoins, worth approximately $150 million at the time, to U.S. authorities. This seizure, characterized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as the largest cryptocurrency confiscation by the agency, marked a significant milestone in digital asset enforcement.
Arkham Intelligence indicated that the recent transfer of 3,940 Bitcoins is part of the forfeited assets. Singh was sentenced to five years in prison in April 2024, with credit for time served. According to reports, Singh plans to return to his native India following his release.
Arkham Intelligence noted that the U.S. government currently holds approximately 213,246 Bitcoins, valued at around $13 billion. According to data from Bitcoin Treasuries, the U.S. is the largest state holder of Bitcoin, followed by China with 190,000 Bitcoins and the UK with 61,000 Bitcoins.
Jameson Lopp, co-founder of Casa, highlighted that the U.S. government has seized and sold off at least 195,091 Bitcoins over the years. This includes assets obtained from the Silk Road auction and other seizures announced by the U.S. Marshals.
Fears of Government sell-off
The seized Bitcoin transferred to Coinbase Prime wallet has raised concerns among traders about potential market impacts. Investors are watching the fear of government sell-offs influencing Bitcoin prices. This concern has been amplified by recent actions from other governments, such as Germany, which has been liquidating its Bitcoin holdings, valued at roughly $2.76 billion.
The German Government selling #Bitcoin 👇 pic.twitter.com/C7MXkaB237
— Satoshi Babe (@satoshi_babe) June 27, 2024
The most recent transaction from the German government occurred on June 26, 2024, when 345 Bitcoins were sent to a wallet labeled “Flow Traders.” Additionally, selling pressure from the Mt. Gox bankruptcy estate has heightened investor fears. The estate is in the process of liquidating 140,000 Bitcoins to reimburse creditors, which could further impact Bitcoin prices.
The seized transferred Bitcoin to Coinbase Prime, combined with the recent German government sell-off and ongoing Mt. Gox estate liquidation, indicates a potential future sell-offs. Investors should closely monitor these developments, aware that significant government-held Bitcoin transfers can influence overall market sentiment and price.
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