U.S. Government May Sell 69,370 Bitcoins Worth $4.3 Billion — Will Saylor Buy?
The U.S. government is reportedly preparing to sell 69,370 bitcoins, worth approximately $4.3 billion, following a significant legal victory.
The seized Bitcoins, originally linked to the Silk Road dark web marketplace, had been held in a wallet labelled ‘bc1qa5’ for four years due to legal disputes. The recent Supreme Court decision has now given the government full control over these assets.
The sale of nearly one-third of the U.S. government’s total 203,239 BTC holdings, valued at $12.63 billion, could have a considerable impact on the cryptocurrency market.
Peter Schiff, the Bitcoin bear, just dropped a jaw-dropping suggestion: let Michael Saylor buy the 69,370 $BTC the US gov is selling! While unlikely, it highlights the mixed feelings surrounding the upcoming sale. #Bitcoin #CryptoNews #MichaelSaylor #PeterSchiff #AuctionSale… pic.twitter.com/RHfnsZztzS
— CryptoniteUae (@CryptoniteUae) October 9, 2024
Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff recently suggested that MicroStrategy Chairman Michael Saylor should consider borrowing $4.3 billion to purchase the Bitcoins.
Schiff tweeted, “It looks like the U.S. government is getting ready to sell 69,370 Bitcoin, worth about $4.3 billion at current market prices. I think Michael Saylor should have MSTR borrow another $4.3 billion and buy it. Who agrees with me?”
Market Implications of a Potential Bitcoin Sell-Off
The potential sell-off of such a large quantity of Bitcoin could send shockwaves through the market, similar to the impact of Germany’s Bitcoin liquidation earlier this year.
In July, the German government sold $2 billion worth of seized BTC, causing a temporary dip in Bitcoin’s price to around $50,000. Should the U.S. follow a similar path, Bitcoin could see increased volatility and potential downward pressure.
If $BTC dips toward $60K amid the expected volatility from upcoming economic data, more than $2.2 billion in long positions could be liquidated.#BTC #Crypto pic.twitter.com/u7csNT2RFh
— Crypto Evolution | AMA +Spaces (@Evolution4x) October 8, 2024
MicroStrategy, which has consistently acquired Bitcoin as part of its treasury strategy, currently holds over $15 billion in digital assets.
The firm’s stock has outperformed Bitcoin in 2024, but Michael Saylor has not commented on whether he plans to buy more BTC from the U.S. government.
Election Dynamics and Future BTC Sales
With the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaching, political considerations may influence any decision to sell the seized Bitcoins. Kamala Harris, currently working on a crypto policy reset, may be hesitant to execute a sale that could upset the crypto community.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has expressed interest in making Bitcoin a strategic reserve for the U.S. if he’s elected, pledging to position America as a global leader in crypto.
#Bitcoin is designed that in every 4 year the halving is in the same year liek U.S. Elections.$BTC is coming up on one of it's most bullish times… 🇺🇸 U.S. Elections next month.
Chart from @rovercrc 🙌 pic.twitter.com/N3fATL8ExO— Miklos Denkler (@MiklosDenkler) October 7, 2024
Given the potential political ramifications, the timing of the sale remains uncertain. Any move by the U.S. government to sell these assets before the elections could not only affect Bitcoin’s price but also sway investor sentiment in the broader cryptocurrency market.
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