Examining German Bitcoin Transfers

Recent reports indicate that German authorities have conducted Bitcoin transfers totaling $15.4 million to the crypto exchanges Bitstamp and Kraken. The German government currently possesses an estimated 45,609 BTC, valued at roughly $2.8 billion based on current market prices.

Transactions from crypto addresses associated with German authorities reveal the transfer of 250 bitcoins (equivalent to $15.4 million) to Bitstamp and Kraken, signaling a potential move to sell these assets.

Funds Sent to Crypto Platforms

The German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) purportedly sent 125 BTC ($7.7 million) to each of the exchanges Bitstamp and Kraken around 7:52 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Concurrently, an additional 500 BTC ($30.9 million) was transferred to an unidentified address labeled as “139Po,” likely linked to a crypto exchange.

Furthermore, the German Government executed a test transaction of 0.001 BTC to market maker Flow Traders, possibly for validation purposes.

Bitcoin Seizures and Movements

Following the confiscation of 50,000 BTC from the illicit movie-streaming platform Movie2k in January, the German government initiated the transfer of Bitcoin to crypto exchanges the previous week. Notably, on a recent Tuesday, 400 BTC ($24.3 million) were sent to Coinbase and Kraken, alongside another 500 BTC ($30.4 million) to the address “139Po.”

To date, a total of approximately $150 million worth of the seized Bitcoin has been conveyed to crypto exchanges, with an additional $147 million routed to the “139Po” destination.

However, records indicate that the German government received a refund of 310 BTC ($20.1 million) from Kraken recently. Furthermore, they acquired a combined total of 90 BTC ($5.5 million) since June 20 from wallets associated with Robinhood, Bitstamp, and Coinbase.

Germany ranks prominently among the top Bitcoin-holding nations, positioned below the United States, China, and the UK. With Bitcoin priced at $61,384 presently, the cryptocurrency registered a decline of around 6% subsequent to the recent exchanges-related transfers by the German government.

Bitcoin briefly fell below the $60,000 mark on Monday following news concerning the distribution of roughly $9 billion in Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash refunds by the dormant Bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox starting July.