The US Justice Department has authorized the seizure of over $2.8 million in cryptocurrency linked to ransomware activities, along with $70,000 in cash and a luxury vehicle, from Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko. He faces charges for computer fraud, abuse, and money laundering. The seized assets are reportedly proceeds from ransomware operations and were laundered using the ChipMixer service, taken down in an international operation in 2023. This seizure follows other government actions, including a recent seizure of $1 million from the BlackSuit ransomware group. The US's total Bitcoin stockpile, mostly from seized criminal assets, is estimated at approximately $20 billion, reflecting the increasing involvement of the government in cryptocurrency management. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently clarified plans for acquiring Bitcoin through budget-neutral means. As of now, the US holds around 198,012 BTC, valued at over $23 billion, from previous seizures, after victims received compensation.

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