Germany’s police force has reportedly confiscated 50,000 Bitcoin (BTC) worth over $2.1 billion as part of an investigation into a website piracy operation that dates back to 2013. According to a statement released on January 30, the seizure marks the largest crypto confiscation in the country’s history. The news was first reported by CoinDesk.

The individuals under investigation, a 40-year-old German and a 37-year-old Pole, are suspected of engaging in a website piracy scheme that involved the unauthorized commercial exploitation of copyrighted works. The seized Bitcoin is allegedly the proceeds from this illegal operation.

Law enforcement agencies in Germany, including the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the FBI, and a Munich-based forensic IT firm, have been working together to investigate the activities of the website in question. It is stated that the suspects “voluntarily transferred” the BTC to wallets provided by the BKA.

The police have also mentioned that the investigation into potential money laundering linked to this case is ongoing, and a decision on the fate of the seized bitcoins has not yet been made.

The announcement from German authorities comes shortly after the US government revealed its intention to sell over $130 million in BTC seized from individuals connected to the defunct dark net marketplace Silk Road. Data from blockchain security and analytics company Arkham indicates that US authorities currently hold cryptocurrencies valued at more than $9.3 billion, including 216,000 BTC worth over $9.1 billion seized from various individuals in recent years.

Germany’s Bitcoin seizure and the US government’s plans to sell confiscated BTC serve as a reminder of the growing involvement of law enforcement agencies in monitoring and regulating cryptocurrency transactions.

Suspect “voluntarily transferred” BTC to police wallets

The BTC seizure is linked to an investigation involving copyright infringements through a website established in 2013. Officials have disclosed that the suspects unlawfully targeted a leading German company and commercially exploited copyrighted works, which violated the country’s Copyright Act.

The suspects allegedly used the profits from the piracy operation to acquire Bitcoin. In their announcement, the Dresden General Prosecutor’s Office, the Saxony State Criminal Police Office, and the Leipzig II Tax Office stated that the suspects “voluntarily transferred” the BTC to wallets provided by the BKA.

US government holds more than 216,000 BTC 

The German police’s seizure announcement follows the US government’s disclosure of its plans to sell over $130 million in BTC seized from individuals connected to the defunct dark net marketplace Silk Road. US authorities currently hold crypto assets worth more than $9.3 billion, including 216,000 BTC valued at over $9.1 billion seized from various individuals over the past few years.

### FAQ

#### What was the value of the Bitcoin seized by German authorities?
The German police have confiscated 50,000 Bitcoin (BTC) worth over $2.1 billion in relation to a website piracy investigation.

#### What were the suspects accused of in the German Bitcoin seizure case?
The individuals under investigation are suspected of engaging in a website piracy scheme that involved the unauthorized commercial exploitation of copyrighted works, which violated Germany’s Copyright Act.

#### What did the US government recently announce regarding seized BTC?
The US government revealed plans to sell over $130 million in BTC seized from individuals connected to the defunct dark net marketplace Silk Road.

#### How much Bitcoin does the US government currently hold?
According to data from blockchain security and analytics firm Arkham, US authorities currently hold over 216,000 BTC valued at more than $9.1 billion, seized from various individuals over the past few years.