Australia bitcoins criminals confiscated sale

In this file photo April 7, 2014 Bitcoin logos inside the headquarters of the trade fair and conference Inside Bitcoins are in New York. Australia auction in June about 13 million in bitcoins that were confiscated by the police to criminals, Tuesday, May 31, 2016 declared.

Australia auction in June about 13 million in bitcoins that were confiscated by the police to criminals, it was reported Tuesday.

Ernst & Young will be in charge of the auction, said Adam Nikitin, a partner of the accounting firm.

It is only the second auction of electronic money in the world after the United States Marshals Service has sold 144,000 bitcoins that were confiscated Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the drug online marketplace Silk Road.

Those interested can register before June 7 to 24.518 bitcoins offer. The auction closed will be held on June 20.

Based on the price of bitcoin Tuesday (533.80 dollars), the auction of the digital currency is valued at $ 13.1 million.

Ernst & Young has received expressions of interest from the United States, Europe and Australia, Nikitin said.

There were no reports that confiscated bitcoins, but Nikitin said registered bidders will be informed accordingly.

The state government of Victoria has confirmed that 24,500 bitcoins seized near the end of 2013 of a drug dealer in Melbourne.

Richard Pollard, 32, was convicted in October by a court in Melbourne to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking.

As the sale to American auction, Australian bitcoins will be sold in lots of 2,000 units. Many will be in 2518.

The bitcoins are digital currency that allow people to buy goods and services in exchange for money without the participation of banks, credit card companies or other third parties. The coins are created by users who "undermine" to provide computing power to check the transactions of other users and receive bitcoins in exchange.

You can also buy and sell in markets with different currencies. Its value has fluctuated over time. In 2013, they reached a maximum of $ 1100 per Bitcoin