German police have temporarily seized 50,000 bitcoins, worth $2.17 billion, in what is described as the country’s largest cryptocurrency seizure.
This seizure is linked to the operation of a piracy website in 2013, violating copyright laws, with the proceeds converted into bitcoin.
Although no official charges have been filed, an investigation is underway into possible money laundering associated with this case.
The German police announced a significant operation in the fight against cybercrime, with the seizure of 50,000 bitcoins, valued at $2.17 billion. This action, linked to the operation of a piracy website in 2013, represents the largest cryptocurrency seizure ever conducted by German authorities.
Seizure of Bitcoins and Final Decision
According to a police statement, one of the suspects voluntarily transferred the bitcoins to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). The police are currently investigating allegations of commercial money laundering that may be related to this case, although the suspects have not yet been officially charged.
The police statement also specifies that a final decision on the use of the seized bitcoins has not yet been made. This seizure comes at a time when, in 2023, the US government also seized $216 million in bitcoins connected to Silk Road, a darknet marketplace shut down in 2013. The United States currently holds $9.5 billion in Bitcoin, according to Arkham’s data.
