{"id":468772,"date":"2021-08-07T17:00:35","date_gmt":"2021-08-07T17:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniquehot.com\/?p=468772"},"modified":"2024-06-11T13:57:32","modified_gmt":"2024-06-11T13:57:32","slug":"crypto-assets-the-irs-seizes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uniquehot.com\/news\/crypto-assets-the-irs-seizes\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s What Happens To All Of The Crypto Assets The IRS Seizes"},"content":{"rendered":"
Crypto continues to be a controversial asset when it comes to the law and crime. Just this fiscal year alone, the IRS has seized $1.2 billion worth of cryptocurrency. The U.S. government started seizing crypto assets during the Silk Road shutdown of 2013. And so far since, there has been crypto seized from individuals every year.<\/p>\n
Often the public is not privy to what happens to seized assets. Once seized, the government has the discretion to dispose or store these assets the way it deems the best. A good amount has been seized by the IRS alone over the years. Assets whose worth run into the billions of dollars since cryptocurrencies became popular.<\/p>\n
Related Reading |\u00a0Wells Fargo Now Offers Cryptocurrency Investment To Clients<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n These assets are usually taken in search and seizures operations carried out by federal agents. At which point the assets seemingly disappear under the jurisdiction of the government. To this end, this CNBC report<\/a> gets in-depth with current and federal agents to figure out what happens with these seized assets.<\/p>\n Jarod Koopman, who is the director of the IRS\u2019 cybercrime unit, said that seized assets are auctioned off. It does not matter if it\u2019s crypto, boats, or cars. These auctions are usually carried out after investigations into the crimes are concluded.<\/p>\n Related Reading |\u00a0How Much Is Your Love Worth? Polish Influencer Sells \u201cLove\u201d As NFT<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Auctions like these are not new for the government. There have been auctions carried out over the years to facilitate the sale of seized assets the government holds in its wallets.<\/p>\n One example of these auctions is the 11 lots<\/a> of cryptocurrencies that were opened up for bidding this year in a four-day auction. One of the lots, Lot 4TQSCI21402001<\/a>, had 150.22567153 Bitcoins and 0.00022893 Bitcoin Cash. At today\u2019s price, these assets would be worth more than $21,000.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Auctions like these happen every year, given the amount that the government seizes every year. Some of the seized amounts might be recovered from criminals. While others could be seized as part of tax non-compliance cases.<\/p>\n Although Bitcoin was created in 2009, seizures of crypto assets did not begin until 2013. This was following the unprecedented use of bitcoin as the main mode of payment in Silk Road<\/a>. An online black market where users could buy pretty much anything. From hard drugs like cocaine to arms dealing.<\/p>\n The takedown of Silk Road saw federals seizing tens of thousands of Bitcoin. And the government had no idea what to do with these coins. With one seized wallet holding as much as 30,000 bitcoins from the seizures.<\/p>\nConfiscated Crypto Assets Get Auctioned Off<\/h2>\n
Total crypto market cap continues to hold steady | Source: Crypto Total Market Cap from TradingView.com<\/a><\/pre>\n
The Bust That Started It All<\/h2>\n