Bitcoin
Bitcoin Drops to $66K as US Moves $2B in Seized BTC to Unidentified Wallets
Bitcoin suffered a sharp decline to around $66,300 on July 29 after the US government transferred $2 billion worth of seized bitcoin (BTC) linked to the Silk Road marketplace.
Arkham Intelligence revealed that a US government-owned wallet transferred 29,800 BTC to a address not identified no previous transaction history as of July 29th.
The address subsequently sent 19,800 BTC and 10,000 BTC to two different addresses. The unexpected move triggered concerns among investors about a potential liquidation.
Arkham analysts speculated that the transfer of 10,000 BTC, valued at approximately $670 million, was likely a deposit to an institutional custodian or service provider.
Historically, such significant moves often precede asset sell-offs, causing market jitters. This time was no different, as Bitcoin’s value fell nearly 5% from its session high of $70,000 to hit a low of $66,360 — a 1.6% decline in the past 24 hours.
The flagship cryptocurrency has since recovered some of its losses and is trading at $67,350 at press time, based on data from CryptoSlate.
Two days after Trump’s speech
The timing of this transfer is particularly notable as it comes just two days after the former president Donald Trump — the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election — announced his plan to establish a “Strategic National Stockpile of Bitcoin” if elected.
At the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, Trump promised that the government would “keep 100%” of the 210,000 Bitcoins it already owns, increasing market sensitivity to government actions.
The speech and Senator Cynthia Lummis’ subsequent announcement of legislation that aims to do the same sparked a rally over the weekend that culminated in Bitcoin hitting $70,000 before crashing.
The U.S. Department of Justice has yet to respond to requests for comment on whether the transferred Bitcoin is intended for sale. However, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) recently awarded Coinbase Prime a contract to manage and dispose of its large-cap cryptocurrency, suggesting the transfer may not signal an imminent sale.
Community reaction
The crypto community reacted quickly, with most criticizing the timing of the move.
Digital Galaxy CEO Mike Novogratz he said:
“Is anyone deaf??? Moving Silk Road BTC two days after Trump promised not to move them is just plain idiotic!!!!”
Similarly, Digibuild CEO Robert Salvador said the Biden-Harris regime is “dumping Bitcoin” two days after Trump’s speech to “hurt the price and investors.”
Adding to the speculation, Satoshi Action Fund co-founder Dennis Porter he said:
“I can’t officially confirm this, but I heard there is now an internal government dispute over who in government will get Bitcoin. Days after hearing this, $2,000,000,000 worth of BTC was transferred to a new wallet.”
On the other hand, venture capitalist Adam Cochran called for calm, noting that such transfers between wallets and custodians are routine and do not necessarily indicate a sale. He said:
“You guys freak out every time big coins move.”
This incident mirrors past market reactions to major government Bitcoin moves. Last month, news of the German government moving Bitcoin to cryptocurrency exchanges caused a temporary price drop. The country downloaded the entirety of its nearly 50,000 BTC stash in the span of a few weeks.
Silk Road, an online black market primarily used for illegal drug transactions, was shut down by authorities in 2014, and the associated Bitcoin has been seized by US authorities periodically since then.
Bitcoin Market Data
At press time, 20:17 UTC on July 29, 2024, Bitcoin is ranked #1 in market capitalization and the price is drop of 1.24% in the last 24 hours. Bitcoin has a market cap of 1.33 trillion dollars with a 24-hour trading volume of $38.75 billion. Learn more about Bitcoin ›
Cryptocurrency Market Summary
At press time, 20:17 UTC on July 29, 2024, the total cryptocurrency market is valued at US$2.41 trillion with a 24-hour volume of US$ 79.35 billion. Bitcoin dominance is currently at 55.17%. Learn more about the cryptocurrency market ›
Mentioned in this article
Latest Alpha Market Report
Bitcoin
Big Tech Outperforms Bitcoin (BTC) as Trump Deal Weakens Token
Bitcoin has lost out on an asset rally fueled by positive comments from the Federal Reserve, while a tight US election race casts doubt on whether Donald Trump will get the chance to implement his pro-crypto agenda.
The digital asset fell 2.4% on Wednesday, following a Fed-fueled surge in an index of megacap tech stocks Magnificent Seven by one of the largest margins in 2024. The token retreated further on Thursday, changing hands at $63,750 as of 6:10 a.m. in London.
Bitcoin
‘This is huge’ — Billionaire Mark Cuban issues ‘incredible’ Bitcoin and crypto prediction amid price slump
Bitcoin
Bitcoin
came back with a vengeance this year when former President Donald Trump Cryptocurrency boosts US presidential election in November with ‘revolutionary’ plan.
The price of bitcoin has surged to more than its all-time high in recent months, surpassing $70,000 per bitcoin and triggering a wave of mega-optimistic predictions about the price of bitcointhough it fell again this week, falling below $65,000 after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady.
Now, as Elon Musk suddenly breaks his silence on bitcoin and cryptocurrenciesBillionaire investor Mark Cuban called a California plan to digitize 42 million car titles using blockchain an “incredible step forward” and “huge” for cryptocurrencies.
Sign up for free CryptoCodex now—A daily five-minute newsletter for traders, investors, and crypto curious people that will keep you up to date and ahead of the bitcoin and crypto bull market
Mark Cuban, famous Shark Tank investor and billionaire owner of the NBA team Dallas Mavericks, has… [+] called a cryptocurrency update “amazing” amid bitcoin’s price slump.
Getty Images
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has digitized 42 million car titles using blockchain, it was reported by Reuters, through technology company Oxhead Alpha on the Avalanche blockchain and designed to detect fraud and facilitate the securities transfer process.
“This is an incredible development for crypto,” Cuban, best known as an investor on TV’s Shark Tank and owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team, posted on X, joking that U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler could sue the state as part of his hostility toward cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
“The reason this is huge for crypto is because people who hold the tokens will have an app with an Avalanche wallet,” Cuban said. “Tens of millions of Californians having and using a crypto wallet in the next five years, or however long it takes, normalizes the use of wallets and crypto.”
John Wu, president of Avalanche developer Ava Labs, told Reuters that California’s DMV is “creating a wallet that you can download on your phone.”
Sign up for CryptoCodex now—A free daily newsletter for the crypto-curious
Bitcoin’s price has rallied this year, triggering a wave of bullish bitcoin price predictions from… [+] people like billionaire Mark Cuban.
Forbes Digital Assets
Last month, Cuban predicted that if the US dollar falls as the global reserve currency, bitcoin could become “a global ‘safe haven’” and a “global currency.” potentially sending the price of bitcoin to a much higher level.
According to Cuban, bitcoin could become what its most ardent supporters “envision” — a means “of protecting our economies… This is already happening in countries facing hyperinflation.”
The price of bitcoin has skyrocketed over the past year, largely due to the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock, leading a bitcoin attack on Wall Street.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin (BTC) miner Riot Platforms (RIOT)’s second-quarter loss widens to $84.4 million as costs rise
Please note that our Privacy Policy, terms of use, cookiesIt is do not sell my personal information Has been updated.
CoinDesk is a awarded media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists follow a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk has been acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Optimistica regulated digital asset exchange. The Bullish Group is majority owned by Block.one; both companies have interests CoinDesk has a portfolio of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial board to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.
Bitcoin
Why Trump Wants the US Government to Have a “National Stockpile” of Bitcoin
At a national bitcoin conference in Nashville, Donald Trump finally laid out some of his crypto policy proposals, including a long-awaited part of his plan — building a strategic bitcoin reserve. CNN’s Jon Sarlin explains what it is and why the crypto industry wants it.
-
News6 months ago
Bitcoin soars above $63,000 as money flows into new US investment products
-
DeFi6 months ago
Ethena downplays danger of letting traders use USDe to back risky bets – DL News
-
News6 months ago
FRA Strengthens Cryptocurrency Practice with New Director Thomas Hyun
-
DeFi6 months ago
Zodialtd.com to revolutionize derivatives trading with WEB3 technology
-
Markets6 months ago
Bitcoin Fails to Recover from Dovish FOMC Meeting: Why?
-
DeFi8 months ago
👀 Lido prepares its response to the recovery boom
-
DeFi8 months ago
PancakeSwap integrates Zyfi for transparent, gas-free DeFi
-
Videos8 months ago
BlackRock and Wall Street ready to take Bitcoin directly to $200,000 – Anthony Scaramucci
-
Videos8 months ago
This is the exact and unique time to sell your crypto asset – Raoul Pal
-
DeFi8 months ago
🏴☠️ Pump.Fun operated by Insider Exploit
-
Videos8 months ago
“BlackRock HAS UNLEASHED a massive multi-trillion monster” – Lyn Alden and Eric Balchunas
-
Videos8 months ago
ONLY 2 WEEKS LEFT! Cryptocurrency Prices Are About to Go Crazy – Raoul Pal