A Texas federal court has ordered early Bitcoin investor Frank Richard Ahlgren III to give up encryption keys that could unlock about $124 million in cryptocurrency. This decision is an important step in the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to seize digital assets in tax evasion cases. It also shows how cryptocurrency is becoming more connected to law enforcement. Texas Federal Court to Access $124M Stash in Cryptocurrency The court ordered Ahlgren, convicted of tax evasion in December, to reveal all private keys to his cryptocurrency holdings. These keys are essential for accessing digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies stored on blockchain networks. Ahlgren must also identify any devices that he used to keep his crypto wealth, such as hardware wallets or other storage solutions. Likewise, the government wants access to about $1 million in restitution, which he owes after his conviction. Meanwhile, the order places strict limits on Ahlgren and his associates. They cannot transfer or hide any digital assets without getting the court’s approval. However, they can use the funds for their regular living expenses, allowing Ahlgren and his associates to pay their everyday costs while the case is ongoing. Details on the Bitcoin Investors’ Sentencing Last year, the Satoshi era Bitcoin investors were sentenced to two years in prison. This sentence came after he underreported the capital gains he earned from selling $3.7 million BTC. Ahlgren bought Bitcoin in 2011 and sold his funds between 2017 and 2019 for $4.35 million. However, he misinterpreted these figures to his accountant and in his tax filings. The total tax loss, calculated by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), is over $1 million. As such, he was sentenced to serve a one-year supervised release and asked to pay $1,095,031 in restitution. U.S. authorities are changing how they deal with the challenges presented by these decentralized assets in criminal cases, especially those involving tax evasion and financial crimes. The outcome of Ahlgren’s case could create important legal rules for future efforts to enforce compliance and recover digital assets linked to illegal activities. US Government to Ensure Transparency and Accountability Recall that the United States government transferred $922 million worth of seized BTC in February 2024 . This transfer came hot on the heels of Bitcoin’s price breaking the $60,000 barrier. As reported by TheCoinRise, the transferred funds were from two cryptocurrency wallets confiscated from Bitfinex in 2016. The government’s decision to transfer these wallets underscores the complexities of managing seized cryptocurrency holdings amidst a rapidly fluctuating market. Meanwhile, the rising number of crypto scams has concerned authorities. According to the FBI’s cryptocurrency fraud report , 71% of crypto scams were tied to fraudulent investment schemes, with over $3.9 billion stolen. The post Court Orders Bitcoin Investor to Give Out Encryption Keys, Here’s Why appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .
