Home US and German governments move $150M in crypto

US and German governments move $150M in crypto

TL:DR

  • Germany moved 1,500 BTC (about $95 million) and 2,700 BTC to exchanges, now holding 44,692 BTC valued at $2.82 billion.
  • The U.S. transferred 3,375 ETH ($11.75 million) and 11.84 BTC ($743,000) from seized funds to an unknown address.
  • These transactions have led to a 6% Bitcoin price drop, with analysts citing potential market impact from large-scale disposals.

Recent cryptocurrency transactions by the German and United States governments have caught the attention of the crypto community.

Arkham Intelligence data shows that Germany has moved substantial amounts of Bitcoin (BTC), while the U.S. has transferred Ethereum (ETH) from seized funds. On July 1, Germany relocated 1,500 BTC (approximately $95 million) to various crypto exchanges.

Concurrently, Arkham Intelligence data also showed that the U.S. moved 3,375 ETH (about $11.75 million) to an unidentified address. Furthermore, data from the same source also indicates that the German government has transferred 2,700 BTC to multiple exchanges, including Bitstamp, Coinbase, and Kraken, over a two-week period. Germany currently holds 44,692 BTC, valued at roughly $2.82 billion.

The U.S. government, specifically from an address holding funds seized from Estonian crypto entrepreneurs, has made significant transactions. After moving 11.84 BTC (about $743,000) on June 30, the U.S. transferred its entire ETH holdings of $11.75 million to a previously unassociated address.

Analysis and market impact

These government transfers suggest strategic fund management. Germany may be considering liquidating its holdings on major exchanges, while the U.S. appears to be shifting its ETH fund management strategy.

Vijay Pravin, CEO of bitsCrunch, told Cointelegraph that there has been a noticeable 6% decline in Bitcoin’s price since these government transactions began. He suggests this could be the market reacting to potential downside risk:

I think it is the market waking up to potential downside risk. There’s caution in the air among investors that large-scale disposals by the German and U.S. governments could potentially trigger a more pronounced downturn in Bitcoin’s price. If that happens, we could see a higher selling pressure and increased volatility.

The European Union’s recently adopted Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) could be influencing Germany’s crypto transfers. This regulation is expected to significantly impact stablecoins and crypto asset services, potentially reshaping the European crypto market.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Radek Zielinski
Tech Journalist

Radek Zielinski is an experienced technology and financial journalist with a passion for cybersecurity and futurology.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.