China's Unprecedented Bitcoin Sale Raises Concerns About the Role of Governments in Managing Seized Cryptos

The decisions of governments regarding cryptos often have major impacts on the markets, but the scale of recent actions by China marks a significant turning point.

Government decisions on cryptocurrencies often have a major impact on the markets, but the scale of recent Chinese actions marks a significant turning point. Beijing has reportedly completed the sale of 194,000 bitcoins, which were seized in 2019 during the dismantling of the PlusToken network, one of the largest Ponzi schemes in crypto history. This massive liquidation, valued at nearly $19.7 billion, raises questions about its economic implications and illustrates the growing complexity of the relationship between states and cryptocurrencies. As bitcoin continues to establish itself as a global store of value, China's move highlights the strategic role governments can play in the evolution of this rapidly changing ecosystem.

An unprecedented sale orchestrated by Beijing

In 2019, Chinese authorities dismantled the PlusToken network, which is considered to be one of the largest Ponzi schemes in crypto history. This fraudulent scheme defrauded billions of dollars from investors worldwide, involving a massive amount of cryptocurrencies. Among the assets seized were 194,000 bitcoins, valued at several billion dollars, which were placed under the control of the Chinese state.

According to Ki Young Ju, CEO of CryptoQuant, these bitcoins were gradually sold on platforms like Huobi. "China has already sold 194K bitcoins, in my opinion," he said in a tweet on January 23, 2025. However, Chinese authorities have only stated that the funds were transferred to the national treasury, without providing any further details on their final use. Such a massive sale operation, with a total estimated value of $19.7 billion, put significant pressure on the global bitcoin market. Despite this, the leading cryptocurrency managed to maintain relative stability, experiencing only a 3.7% decline over a 24-hour period, reaching a level slightly below $105,000. This resilience is partly due to the increasing participation of institutional players, who play a stabilizing role in the face of such large-scale events.

The implications of such an operation

Despite the relative stability of bitcoin, the massive sale orchestrated by China raises major concerns about the role of governments in managing seized cryptocurrencies. While some countries opt for transparent approaches, such as public auctions, Beijing's strategy remains shrouded in opacity. "A censored regime that holds a censorship-resistant currency seems unlikely," Ki Young Ju said, highlighting the paradoxes of Chinese policy toward bitcoin. This contradiction reflects the tensions between the decentralized essence of cryptocurrencies and the centralized control exercised by some states.

At the same time, this operation seems to have found a certain balance thanks to the involvement of major institutional investors. BlackRock, for example, acquired $600 million worth of bitcoin, reflecting the growing interest of traditional finance in cryptocurrencies. This trend helps to stabilize the markets and strengthen bitcoin's legitimacy as an institutionally recognized store of value. However, some observers warn of potential price pressures linked to global monetary decisions, such as possible interest rate hikes. These factors could amplify short-term volatility, even as institutional interest bodes well for the longer term.

This massive liquidation raises questions about the management of cryptocurrencies seized by states. While China opted for a discreet and rapid strategy, other nations might consider more transparent approaches, especially through public auctions or collaboration with the cryptocurrency industry. In a context of increasingly stringent regulations, the attitude of governments toward these assets will be crucial for their adoption and long-term stability. These decisions could ultimately shape the balance between state control and the rise of a market founded on decentralization.

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Holder of a Sciences Po Toulouse degree and a blockchain consultant certification from Alyra, I joined the Cointribune adventure in 2019. Convinced of blockchain's potential to transform numerous sectors of the economy, I am committed to educating and informing the general public about this rapidly evolving ecosystem. My goal is to help everyone better understand blockchain and seize the opportunities it offers. I strive daily to provide an objective analysis of current events, decipher market trends, relay the latest technological innovations, and put the economic and societal stakes of this unfolding revolution into perspective.