Between June 19 and July 12, 2024, Germany’s Dresden Public Prosecutor’s Office successfully sold roughly 49,858 Bitcoins, making USD 2.86 billion in profits. The funds are provisionally secured for ongoing criminal proceedings related to the “movie2k” case at the Leipzig Regional Court.
The coordinated sale of approximately 49,858 bitcoins was managed meticulously to maximize returns. Arkham Intelligence had been tracking a wallet associated with the European nation, capturing public attention.
German authorities stated that they netted USD 2.86 billion from the sale. By tracking the transfers and calculating the price of bitcoin at that time, the average price for the German government stands at $57,900. This move was part of a broader plan to effectively handle assets seized in criminal cases.
Additionally, German authorities emphasized the legal necessity of selling valuable items before the conclusion of ongoing criminal proceedings when there is a risk of loss in value. The Bitcoin sale, therefore, aimed to prevent a potential loss of around ten percent or more. Hence, the decision to sell was both timely and legally mandated.
Use of Multiple Exchanges
Germany used several cryptocurrency exchanges, including Bitstamp, Kraken, and Coinbase, to sell Bitcoins, which helped ensure smooth and efficient transactions. By last Friday, Germany’s crypto wallet was empty, indicating the sale was complete.
Germany’s sale of seized Bitcoins highlighted the importance of timely asset management in criminal cases. By leveraging multiple exchanges, German authorities ensured a successful and efficient transaction, setting a precedent for handling digital assets in the future.
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