According to DB News, the U.S. government has been granted clearance to liquidate 69,370 BTC seized from the Silk Road marketplace following a federal judge’s ruling on Dec. 30.
Silk Road Bitcoin cleared for sale
The Department of Justice (DOJ) sought expedited permission to sell, citing price volatility as a key reason for avoiding further delays. Officials confirmed the assets, worth approximately $6.5 billion, will be sold despite an upcoming administration change in less than two weeks when a president who had vowed to retain seized Bitcoin is set to take office.
DB reported that a years-long ownership dispute involving Battle Born Investments ended when the group lost its bid to delay the liquidation. Battle Born’s attorney labeled the DOJ’s approach “procedural trickery” and questioned the constitutionality of civil asset forfeiture, but the court upheld the government’s position. The DOJ spokesperson stated that the government will proceed in line with the judgment, concluding a protracted legal conflict over control of one of the largest Bitcoin caches ever seized.
This development carries implications for broader market sentiment, especially since Bitcoin’s trading range has hovered around $92,000 to $100,000 in recent weeks after breaking the $100,000 threshold last month. Many participants will now be watching for potential effects on liquidity and volatility if large sell orders emerge. Officials have not disclosed specific plans for the sale mechanism, but the DOJ commented it would “proceed.”
Timing of the judgment amid changing administration
The timing draws particular attention because the incoming administration had campaigned on the idea of a strategic Bitcoin reserve, citing plans to avoid selling any holdings. The current plan indicates liquidation could begin before the new president takes office. Official policy on seized crypto has shifted multiple times under different leadership, generating debate among lawmakers and market analysts who see these transactions as a test of federal handling of digital assets.
As DB posted, the Silk Road seizures have spanned several years, and this final ruling resolves questions around “Individual X,” whose identity Battle Born sought through a Freedom of Information Act request. That request was denied, and the court’s liquidation authorization remains intact.
The DOJ signaled concerns about the potential for steep price movement in the event of legal delays, pointing to previous fluctuations surrounding government-held Bitcoin sales. The agency’s stance appears focused on capitalizing on current heightened market conditions, although waiting for the next administration would yield alternative outcomes.
When the first Bitcoin was seized in 2013, 170,000 BTC was taken into custody at a value of $28.5 million. Today, it would have been worth almost $16 billion had much of it not been previously sold. Thus, according to history, selling Silk Road Bitcoin during market rallies has left billions on the table as its price continues to grow.
Should we celebrate governments profiting from seized Bitcoin?
Earlier government sales tied to Silk Road involved transferring large sums to regulated exchanges. The newly approved plan appears consistent with past practice, yet the size of this sum has drawn even more scrutiny. Dumping over 69,000 BTC might pressure markets, though Bitcoin’s liquidity has increased over the years, and institutional participation has grown. Bitcoin has weathered all previous Silk Road sales. However, this time, there is a new President 11 days away from office who vowed to convert the BTC into a strategic reserve.
However, some note the irony of Bitcoiners praising the government for turning seized Bitcoin into a FED asset, given Satoshi’s philosophy and Bitcoin’s purpose in challenging traditional financial institutions. This is especially thought-provoking given the focus on freeing Ross Ulbricht and Trump’s promise to do so.
The official statement says the assets will be sold in a manner “consistent with the judgment,” leaving market participants to watch for any short-term price disruptions or broader policy implications once the sale begins.
The fact that the president-elect vowed to keep all confiscated Bitcoin during the campaign highlights the tension between the outgoing administration’s actions and incoming policy preferences. Donald Trump enters the White House in 11 days. CryptoSlate will keep a close eye on Silk Road wallets for any development before Trump’s inauguration.
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