US Government to Sell 513 Bitcoin and 512 Bitcoin Cash Seized From Dark Web Dealer
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The US government has been approved by a federal judge in Utah to auction off 513 bitcoin and 512 Bitcoin Cash seized from an investigation into Aaron Michael Shamo, a dark web dealer.
8.5 Million Sale
In the upcoming weeks, the government is expected to sell all of the assets seized after the arrest of Shamo, including a Ford F-350 pickup, BMW 135i, and the millions of dollars worth of bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash.
On May 31, 2017, Shamo along with other dark web operators including Drew Wilson Crandall, Mario Anthony Noble, and Sean Michael Gygi were found guilty of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, aiding the importation of a controlled substance, intentional adulteration of drugs, use of the US mail in drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and engaging in monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity.
Immediately after the dark web criminals were found guilty of the charges filed by the FBI, the bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash holdings of the dark web operators were seized and moved to the custody of the United States Marshals Service (USMS).
However, in the official court document released and approved by Utah district judge Dale A. Kimball, the US government stated that it is costly to securely store the seized cryptocurrencies for a long period of time. According to the court document, the USMS has been paid $465 per month to store the two cryptocurrencies.
The US government also expressed its concerns over the high volatility rate of bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash, and suggested to sell the two cryptocurrencies before their value depreciate.