Introduction
A recent report by onchain analyst Zachxbt revealed that 4,800 bitcoins, worth $144 million, which were taken from the now-defunct darknet marketplace Abraxas, have been transferred to a bitcoin mixing service. This comes after Abraxas exit scammed in November 2015 and the bitcoins had remained untouched since then.
Bitcoin Transfer from Abraxas Wallet
Zachxbt reported on the social media site X (formerly Twitter) that an entity moved approximately 4,800 bitcoins, valued at $144 million, from an Abraxas wallet to a mixing service. The analyst mentioned that these bitcoins originated from the Abraxas darknet market, which exit scammed in November 2015. The entity not only consolidated the funds but also deposited them into a bitcoin mixer.
Abraxas Background
Abraxas was a darknet marketplace that started its operations around the same time as other notorious marketplaces like Alphabay and Agora. It launched on December 13, 2014, and became inaccessible on November 5, 2015, according to data from gwern.net. The bitcoin wallets associated with Abraxas were emptied in March 2016.
Impact of Abraxas Exit Scam
After Abraxas exit scammed, vendors and users of the marketplace were left searching for alternative darknet marketplaces. Unfortunately, some of these new platforms also defrauded their users. Research suggests that Agora, another prominent darknet marketplace, also shut down around the same time, leading users from both Agora and Abraxas to migrate to Alphabay.
Rise and Fall of Alphabay
Alphabay quickly rose to become the leading darknet marketplace after the demise of Abraxas and Agora. However, its reign was short-lived as law enforcement seized the marketplace in July 2017. The recent movement of the Abraxas bitcoin stash remains unknown, but what is clear is that the funds are now worth $142 million more than they were in 2015.
Conclusion
The sudden transfer of $144 million worth of bitcoins from the 2015 Abraxas scandal to a bitcoin mixing service has raised questions about the motives behind this move. The circumstances surrounding the exit scam and subsequent movement of the funds remain mysterious. It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds in the coming days. Share your thoughts and opinions on this subject in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gold do you need in your portfolio?
The amount of money you need to make depends on how much capital you are looking for. A small investment of $5k-10k would be a great option if you are looking to start small. As you grow, it is possible to rent desks or office space. This way, you don't have to worry about paying rent all at once. You only pay one month.
Also, you need to think about the type of business that you are going to run. My website design company charges clients $1000-2000 per month depending on the order. You should also consider the expected income from each client when you do this type of thing.
As freelance work requires you to be paid freelancers, your monthly salary won't be as high as mine. You may get paid just once every 6 months.
Before you can determine how much gold you'll need, you must decide what type of income you want.
I would recommend that you start with $1k-2k worth of gold and then increase your wealth.
What is the tax on gold in an IRA
The fair value of gold sold to determines the price at which tax is due. Gold is not subject to tax when it's purchased. It's not considered income. If you decide to make a sale of it, you'll be entitled to a taxable loss if the value goes up.
Gold can be used as collateral for loans. Lenders try to maximize the return on loans that you take against your assets. In the case of gold, this usually means selling it. This is not always possible. They might keep it. Or, they may decide to resell the item themselves. Either way, you lose potential profit.
If you plan on using your gold as collateral, then you shouldn't lend against it. If you don't plan to use it as collateral, it is better to let it be.
What Should Your IRA Include in Precious Metals?
The most important thing you should know when investing in precious metals is that they are not just for wealthy people. It doesn't matter how rich you are to invest in precious metals. There are many ways to make money on silver and gold investments without spending too much.
You might consider purchasing physical coins, such as bullion bars and rounds. Shares in precious metals-producing companies could be an option. You may also be interested in an IRA transfer program offered by your retirement provider.
Regardless of your choice, you'll still benefit from owning precious metals. Even though they aren't stocks, they still offer the possibility of long-term growth.
And, unlike traditional investments, their prices tend to rise over time. So, if you decide to sell your investment down the road, you'll likely see more profit than you would with traditional investments.
What precious metals can you invest in for retirement?
It is gold and silver that are the best precious metal investment. Both can be easily bought and sold, and have been around since forever. You should add them to your portfolio if you are looking to diversify.
Gold: One of the oldest forms of currency, gold, is one of mankind's most valuable. It is very stable and secure. This makes it a good option to preserve wealth in uncertain times.
Silver: The popularity of silver has always been a concern for investors. It is an excellent choice for investors who wish to avoid volatility. Silver, unlike gold, tends not to go down but up.
Platinium: Another form of precious metal is platinum, which is becoming more popular. It's like silver or gold in that it is durable and resistant to corrosion. It's however much more costly than any of its counterparts.
Rhodium. Rhodium is used as a catalyst. It's also used in jewelry making. And, it's relatively cheap compared to other types of precious metals.
Palladium: Palladium, which is a form of platinum, is less common than platinum. It's also more affordable. It's a popular choice for investors who want to add precious metals into their portfolios.
Statistics
- If you accidentally make an improper transaction, the IRS will disallow it and count it as a withdrawal, so you would owe income tax on the item's value and, if you are younger than 59 ½, an additional 10% early withdrawal penalty. (forbes.com)
- Instead, the economy improved, stocks rebounded, and gold plunged, losing 28 percent of its value in 2013. (aarp.org)
- If you take distributions before hitting 59.5, you'll owe a 10% penalty on the amount withdrawn. (lendedu.com)
- This is a 15% margin that has shown no stable direction of growth but fluctuates seemingly at random. (smartasset.com)
- Contribution limits$6,000 (49 and under) $7,000 (50 and up)$6,000 (49 and under) $7,000 (50 and up)$58,000 or 25% of your annual compensation (whichever is smaller) (lendedu.com)
External Links
forbes.com
- Gold IRA: Add some sparkle to your retirement nest egg
- Understanding China's Evergrande Crisis – Forbes Advisor
law.cornell.edu
- 7 U.S. Code SS7 – Designation board of trade as contract marketplaces
- 26 U.S. Code SS 408 – Individual retirement accounts
irs.gov
bbb.org
How To
How to hold physical gold in an IRA
The most obvious way to invest in gold is by buying shares from companies producing gold. However, there are risks associated with this strategy. It isn't always possible for these companies to survive. There is always the chance of them losing their money due to fluctuations of the gold price.
Alternative options include buying physical gold. You can either open an account with a bank, online bullion dealer, or buy gold directly from a seller you trust. This option has many advantages, including the ease of access (you don’t have to deal with stock markets) and the ability of making purchases at low prices. It's also easy to see how many gold you have. A receipt will be sent to you indicating exactly how much you paid. This will allow you to see if there were any tax omissions. You're also less susceptible to theft than investing with stocks.
However, there are disadvantages. You won't be able to benefit from investment funds or interest rates offered by banks. It won't allow you to diversify any of your holdings. Instead, you'll be stuck with what's been bought. Finally, tax man may want to ask where you put your gold.
BullionVault.com is the best website to learn about gold purchases in an IRA.
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By: Jamie Redman
Title: $144 Million in Bitcoin from 2015 Abraxas Scandal Suddenly Transferred to Mixer
Sourced From: news.bitcoin.com/dormant-144m-in-bitcoin-from-defunct-abraxas-darknet-market-moved-after-years-of-inactivity/
Published Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 20:30:05 +0000
