For Sale: 29 Thousand "Washed" Bitcoins

[Charlie Prime]

The U.S. Marshals is selling the Bitcoins that were seized from an FBI bust in October 2013.

The U.S. Marshals plan to sell the coins off in blocks of 3,000 coins for 9 blocks and the remainder in the last block.

They have been "washed", and and given a clean bill of health, backed by the US government.

From: http://bitcoinmagazine.com/13926/us-marshal-office-offers-100-washed-bitcoins/

[jaberwock]

How does he got 29 Million bitcoin? you mean 29 thousand?

[Bizmark13]

How does he got 29 Million bitcoin? you mean 29 thousand?

Yeah, there can only be 21 million bitcoins ever and out of these, there are only about 12 million currently mined so the 29 million number is obviously incorrect. The image says 29,656.51306529 (or 29,656 whole bitcoins) so it must be 29 thousand bitcoins which the FBI is selling, which is a much more reasonable number and fits in with the other news reports that I've seen.

[Charlie Prime]

How does he got 29 Million bitcoin? you mean 29 thousand?

Doh!  Fixed it.  Thanks man.  Too much coffee already this morning.

[Spendulus]

How does he got 29 Million bitcoin? you mean 29 thousand?

Doh!  Fixed it.  Thanks man.  Too much coffee already this morning.

So the bitcoins being sold were stolen from customer account balances at SR? 

[sintax]

Washed bitcoins? lol I doubt the US marshalls even understand bitcoin.

[Spendulus]

Washed bitcoins? lol I doubt the US marshalls even understand bitcoin.

However, some undefined group in the US Government do have the private keys relating to this group of coins.

Who is to say that the bitcoins do not suddenly vanish either before or after delivery to the winners of the auction?

It would be interesting to know what the security protocols were they had in place.  Not that I would trust them to have what they said they had but it would illustrate the extent to which they understood Bitcoin.

[ThomasCrowne]

Washed bitcoins? lol I doubt the US marshalls even understand bitcoin.

us marshalls understand bitcoin?!  you kidding?!  apparently the don't even know how to use e-mail properly!

[Argwai96]

I don't understand this attitude they are "washed", "verified", etc. My bitcoins are accepted anywhere bitcoins are accepted. Aren't they worth just the same?

[boumalo]

I don't understand this attitude they are "washed", "verified", etc. My bitcoins are accepted anywhere bitcoins are accepted. Aren't they worth just the same?

They are, OP was just being sarcastic

I hope we will know the price they are bought to, any chance it will be public?

[vm1990]

Washed bitcoins? lol I doubt the US marshalls even understand bitcoin.

I wonder what soap they used...

[Spendulus]

Washed bitcoins? lol I doubt the US marshalls even understand bitcoin.

I wonder what soap they used...

I think they should keep their stolen bitcoins and buy their crack with them.

[coinsolidation]

can we track the outputs and have the network reject them?

[Relnarien]

can we track the outputs and have the network reject them?

It's possible to rewrite the code to do just that, but that's a really bad idea. By implementing something like that, the fungibility of Bitcoin will be compromised. You can't start something like that because there will never be an end to it. Why would you even want to reject those coins anyway? What would be the point? What principle would you be defending? The whole idea seems to be driven by envy more than rationality.

[Cranky4u]

Washed bitcoins? lol I doubt the US marshalls even understand bitcoin.

I wonder what soap they used...

I believe it was pineapple with a hint of vaseline.

[Umer]

Washed bitcoins? lol I doubt the US marshalls even understand bitcoin.

I wonder what soap they used...

I think they should keep their stolen bitcoins and buy their crack with them.

Well they must have to use dettol . then the bitcoins will be completely washed..

[zahra4571]

What about the price after the sale, what is your prediction it will continue to fall down or go up?

[TrailingComet]

Indeed, the chief attraction of buying these coins is that they are kosher by fiat decree
The irony is killing me

[bitsmichel]

Washed bitcoins? lol I doubt the US marshalls even understand bitcoin.

However, some undefined group in the US Government do have the private keys relating to this group of coins.

Who is to say that the bitcoins do not suddenly vanish either before or after delivery to the winners of the auction?

Agree, this is a situation which could happen. I think to keep this large amount of btc in one single address is not very responsible;

[Spendulus]

Washed bitcoins? lol I doubt the US marshalls even understand bitcoin.

However, some undefined group in the US Government do have the private keys relating to this group of coins.

Who is to say that the bitcoins do not suddenly vanish either before or after delivery to the winners of the auction?

Agree, this is a situation which could happen. I think to keep this large amount of btc in one single address is not very responsible;

I guess if the Marshalls send their stolen bitcoins to someone's address, he's got them.

But it would certainly be funny if they went to do that and found they've lost a few.  Or a lot.

Comedy Gold.