Government's Role in Crypto Seizures

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#1Mar 9, 2020, 07:59 PM
Just saw some news about South Korea selling around 320 BTC that they confiscated from a hacker using phishing. This makes me wonder if the government is keeping an eye on the crypto space. Are they just gonna sell it off instead of figuring out how to benefit from it? Can they really centralize crypto?
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wagmiNewbie
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#2Mar 9, 2020, 09:34 PM
You gotta add sources next time. Without proof, it’s hard to tell how they tracked the hacker or why they sold the BTC in the first place. South Korea is known to be pro-crypto but their regulations are super strict to combat fraud.
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im_falconNewbie
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#3Mar 10, 2020, 08:44 PM
Yeah, gotta back up claims with sources. I found a piece that says the BTC was tied to an illegal gambling operation. They seized it legally. Seems like they followed protocol and sold it off.
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stacksatsHero Member
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#4Mar 11, 2020, 04:32 PM
I mean, hackers, illegal gambling, mixers... it’s all sketchy. The problem is you never know when your funds could be frozen. Governments can swoop in and take your money anytime.
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GigaOmegaMember
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#5Mar 11, 2020, 05:30 PM
Exactly. If the BTC was linked to crime, the government has every right to seize it. Selling it won’t even make a dent in the market cap. It's all just a game to them.
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#6Mar 11, 2020, 08:01 PM
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen news about South Korea and crypto lately. They’ve gotta tighten their security with seized funds. It’s like they keep getting rekt over and over.
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ledger_2013Senior Member
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#7Mar 13, 2020, 02:13 PM
Wait, for real? Why would a hacker give back the stolen BTC? Is there something shady going on with officials helping him out? They should be returning it to the original victims instead.
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LuckyDeg3nFull Member
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#8Mar 13, 2020, 07:28 PM
I feel like the government knows more about crypto than most people. If they're selling BTC, it’s probably just them trying to profit off the situation. Their policies show they’re not completely against crypto.
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nonce21Full Member
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#9Mar 13, 2020, 10:24 PM
Every country handles crypto differently. What South Korea did isn’t unusual at all. The US does the same when they seize stolen crypto. Governments have the right to manage recovered assets.
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WildWolfMember
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#10Mar 14, 2020, 02:44 AM
Can’t expect them to just hold seized BTC forever. Some may think it’s not worth it to keep. At least they’re not bashing Bitcoin like some other governments.
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CalmMinerFull Member
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#11Mar 14, 2020, 06:23 AM
Is it even right for them to seize and sell properties? Seized assets should be auctioned, not just added to reserves. It feels wrong to use stolen assets for their gain.
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nick_sageSenior Member
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#12Mar 14, 2020, 12:25 PM
If a government sells off seized crypto, they can do that. Some think Bitcoin is too volatile and would rather cash in quickly. Others might hold it as a reserve. It’s all about their strategy.
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#13Mar 14, 2020, 03:39 PM
They won’t trash talk the market, that’s for sure. They see the value in it and selling seized coins means free cash for them. Why oppose something that’s worth billions?
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#14Mar 14, 2020, 05:42 PM
Sorry, just noticed this news pop up. So the hacker gave back the BTC? Guess that gives the government the right to do whatever they want with it.
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0xHashMember
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#15Mar 14, 2020, 08:39 PM
Governments and crypto are always tangled up. They sell seized assets instead of refunding victims. Makes me question their intentions with Bitcoin reserves.
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alt51Newbie
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#16Mar 14, 2020, 11:35 PM
Yeah, this is why I’m not a fan of governments holding seized BTC. Real investors buy BTC, they don’t just take it because it’s been confiscated.
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#17Mar 15, 2020, 01:21 AM
Are you talking about the same news? That explains the recent pressure on Bitcoin prices. Guess they understand dollar-cost averaging in selling.
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stacksatsHero Member
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#18Mar 15, 2020, 03:21 AM
Some countries do sell seized Bitcoin, others don’t. It’s all about how they view Bitcoin and what they think is best for them.
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RogueBitFull Member
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#19Mar 15, 2020, 03:53 AM
Governments like cash, not volatile assets. They manage public funds differently. Selling seized crypto makes more sense to them.
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0xGuruNewbie
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#20Mar 17, 2020, 02:52 PM
Most governments either hold or sell seized assets. They can’t just give away what they’ve taken, especially if it’s from illegal means.
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