Any chance the recent spike was because of this?

[Xiaoxiao]

A $13,000,000 purchase in a short amount of time by this oil tycoon's family:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1229002.0

[dloghwak]

A $13,000,000 purchase in a short amount of time by this oil tycoon's family:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1229002.0

Is there any proof at all? I see no transaction id or address mentioned, seems like bullshit.

[gentlemand]

A one off $1.5 million buy presumably several days ago when over $70 million was traded alone today?

Er, no.

[medUSA]

Is there any proof at all? I see no transaction id or address mentioned, seems like bullshit.

Most sources confirms the kidnappers demanded ransom to be paid in bitcoin. I managed to find only one source (cointelegraph) which confirm his family has bought some bitcoin and the bitcoin changed hands:

"The local police and enforcement agencies are still unable to trace the origin of the transaction
and couldn’t track the location of the bitcoin wallet account, which received the bitcoin ransom."
http://cointelegraph.com/news...

This Hong Kong newpaper can't confirm his family send any bitcoin: "It was unclear if Wong’s family sent ransom money"
http://www.scmp.com/news...

[cakir]

I don't think it's related. "blockchain proof needed" , "Tx id or didn't happen. "