Abraxas Exit Scam and Bitcoin Movement
According to onchain analyst Zachxbt, a total of 4,800 bitcoins that were taken from the now-defunct darknet marketplace Abraxas have recently been transferred to a bitcoin mixing service. The marketplace, which exit scammed in November 2015 after operating for less than a year, had left these bitcoins untouched since then.
Transfer of $144 Million Worth of Bitcoin
Zachxbt reported on the social media site X (formerly Twitter) that the 4,800 bitcoins from an Abraxas wallet, valued at $144 million, have been moved to a mixing service. This sudden movement of funds has caught the attention of the crypto community.
Consolidation and Bitcoin Mixing
The analyst further explained that the entity behind the transfer consolidated the funds and also deposited them into a bitcoin mixer. This process of mixing bitcoins involves combining them with other bitcoins from different sources to obfuscate their transaction history, making it difficult to trace their origins.
Abraxas Darknet Marketplace and Exit Scam
Abraxas operated alongside other notorious darknet marketplaces such as Alphabay and Agora. However, it abruptly disappeared on November 5, 2015, leaving its customers and vendors in a state of shock. At the time of its exit scam, the value of bitcoin was approximately $386 per unit.
Migration to Other Darknet Marketplaces
After the exit scam, vendors and users of Abraxas sought alternative darknet marketplaces. Unfortunately, some of these new platforms also defrauded their users. Agora, another popular marketplace, also shut down around the same period. This led users from both Agora and Abraxas to migrate to Alphabay.
The Rise and Fall of Alphabay
Alphabay quickly gained prominence and became the leading darknet marketplace until it was seized by law enforcement in July 2017. It served as a hub for various illegal activities and facilitated the trade of drugs, weapons, and other illicit goods.
Mysterious Movement of Abraxas Bitcoin Stash
The recent movement of the Abraxas bitcoin stash remains shrouded in mystery. The reasons behind this transfer are unknown, but what is clear is that the funds are now worth $142 million more than they were in 2015. This significant increase in value has drawn attention to the transaction.
What are your thoughts on the movement of Abraxas' bitcoins? Feel free to share your opinions and insights in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the pros and cons of a gold IRA?
An Individual Retirement account (IRA) is a better option than regular savings accounts in that interest earned is exempted from tax. This makes an IRA a great choice for people who are looking to save money but don’t want to pay any tax on the interest earned. This type of investment has its downsides.
If you withdraw too many funds from your IRA at once, you may lose all your accumulated assets. You might also not be able to withdraw from your IRA until the IRS deems you to be 59 1/2. A penalty fee will be charged if you decide to withdraw funds.
Another disadvantage is that you must pay fees to manage your IRA. Many banks charge between 0.5% and 2.0% per year. Other providers may charge monthly management fees, ranging between $10 and $50.
If you prefer your money to be kept out of a bank, then you will need insurance. In order to make a claim, most insurers will require that you have a minimum amount in gold. Insurance that covers losses upto $500,000.
You will need to decide how much gold you wish to use if you opt for a gold IRA. Some providers limit how many ounces you can keep. Others allow you the freedom to choose your own weight.
You will also have to decide whether to purchase futures or physical gold. Gold futures contracts are more expensive than physical gold. Futures contracts, however, allow for greater flexibility in buying gold. Futures contracts allow you to create a contract with a specified expiration date.
You also need to decide the type and level of insurance coverage you want. The standard policy doesn’t provide theft protection or loss due fire, flood, or earthquake. It does provide coverage for damage from natural disasters, however. If you live near a high-risk region, you might want to consider additional coverage.
Insurance is not enough. You also need to think about the cost of gold storage. Storage costs will not be covered by insurance. For safekeeping, banks typically charge $25-40 per month.
To open a IRA in gold, you will need to first speak with a qualified custodian. A custodian keeps track of your investments and ensures that you comply with federal regulations. Custodians can't sell assets. Instead, they must maintain them for as long a time as you request.
Once you have chosen the right type of IRA to suit your needs, it is time to fill out paperwork defining your goals. The plan should contain information about the types of investments you wish to make such as stocks, bonds or mutual funds. The plan should also include information about how much you are willing to invest each month.
After filling out the forms, you'll need to send them to your chosen provider along with a check for a small deposit. Once the company has received your application, they will review it and send you a confirmation email.
Consider consulting a financial advisor when opening a golden IRA. A financial planner is an expert in investing and can help you choose the right type of IRA for you. You can also reduce your insurance costs by working with them to find lower-cost alternatives.
Is buying gold a good way to save money for retirement?
While buying gold as an investment may seem unattractive at first glance it becomes worth the effort when you consider how much gold is consumed worldwide each year.
The most popular form of investing in gold is through physical bullion bars. But there are many other options for investing in gold. It's best to thoroughly research all options before you make a decision.
If you don’t have the funds to invest in safe places, such as a safe deposit box or mining equipment companies, buying shares of these companies might be a better investment. If you require cash flow, gold stocks can work well.
ETFs allow you to invest in exchange-traded funds. These funds give you exposure, but not actual gold, by investing in gold-related securities. These ETFs can include stocks of precious metals refiners and gold miners.
Are You Ready to Invest in Gold?
This will depend on how much money and whether you were able to invest in gold at the time that you started saving. You can invest in both options if you aren't sure which option is best for you.
Not only is it a safe investment but gold can also provide potential returns. It's a great investment for retirees.
While many investments promise fixed returns, gold is subject to fluctuations. This causes its value to fluctuate over time.
However, this does not mean that gold should be avoided. This just means you need to account for fluctuations in your overall portfolio.
Another advantage to gold is that it can be used as a tangible asset. Gold is more convenient than bonds or stocks because it can be stored easily. It can also be transported.
You can always access gold as long your place it safe. You don't have to pay storage fees for physical gold.
Investing in gold can help protect against inflation. Because gold prices tend to rise along with other commodities, it's a good way to hedge against rising costs.
Also, you'll reap the benefits of having some savings invested in something with a stable value. Gold rises in the face of a falling stock market.
Investing in gold has another advantage: you can sell it anytime you want. As with stocks, your position can be liquidated whenever you require cash. You don’t even need to wait until retirement to liquidate your position.
If you do decide to invest in gold, make sure to diversify your holdings. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
Don't buy too many at once. Start by purchasing a few ounces. Continue adding more as necessary.
Keep in mind that the goal is not to quickly become wealthy. Rather, it's to build up enough wealth so you won't need to rely on Social Security benefits.
And while gold might not be the best investment for everyone, it could be a great supplement to any retirement plan.
Can I keep a Gold ETF in a Roth IRA
You may not have this option with a 401(k), however, you might want to consider other options, like an Individual retirement account (IRA).
A traditional IRA allows for contributions from both employer and employee. You can also invest in publicly traded businesses by creating an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
An ESOP offers tax benefits because employees can share in the company stock and any profits that it generates. The tax rate on money that is invested in an ESOP is lower than if it was held in the employees' hands.
Also available is an Individual Retirement Annuity. You can make regular payments to your IRA throughout your life, and you will also receive income when you retire. Contributions to IRAs do not have to be taxable
How Much of Your IRA Should Include Precious Metals?
You should remember that precious metals are not only for the wealthy. You don’t need to have a lot of money to invest. There are many ways to make money on silver and gold investments without spending too much.
You might think about buying physical coins such a bullion bar or round. Also, you could buy shares in companies producing precious metals. You may also be interested in an IRA transfer program offered by your retirement provider.
You'll still get the benefit of precious metals no matter which country you live in. Although they aren’t stocks, they offer the possibility for long-term gains.
Their prices are more volatile than traditional investments. If you decide to make a sale of your investment in the future, you will likely realize more profit than with traditional investments.
What Precious Metals Can You Invest in for Retirement?
The best precious metal investments are gold and silver. They're both easy to buy and sell and have been around forever. If you want to diversify your portfolio, you should consider adding them to your list.
Gold: Gold is one the oldest forms currency known to man. It's stable and safe. This makes it a good option to preserve wealth in uncertain times.
Silver: Silver is a popular investment choice. It's a good choice for those who want to avoid volatility. Silver, unlike gold, tends not to go down but up.
Platinum: A new form of precious metal, platinum is growing in popularity. It's resistant to corrosion and durable, similar to gold and silver. It is, however, more expensive than its competitors.
Rhodium. Rhodium is used as a catalyst. It is also used as a jewelry material. It is also quite affordable compared with 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.
How much is gold taxed under a Roth IRA
An investment account's tax is calculated based on the current value of the account, and not on what you paid originally. All gains, even if you have invested $1,000 in a mutual funds stock, are subject to tax.
If you place the money in a traditional IRA, 401(k), or other retirement plan, there is no tax when you take it out. Capital gains and dividends earn you no tax. This applies only to investments made for longer than one-year.
These accounts are subject to different rules depending on where you live. In Maryland, for example, withdrawals must be made within 60 days of reaching the age of 59 1/2 in order to qualify. In Massachusetts, you can wait until April 1st. New York offers a waiting period of up to 70 1/2 years. To avoid penalties, you should plan ahead and take distributions as soon as possible.
Statistics
- You can only purchase gold bars at least 99.5% purity. (forbes.com)
- Gold is considered a collectible, and profits from a sale are taxed at a maximum rate of 28 percent. (aarp.org)
- Instead, the economy improved, stocks rebounded, and gold plunged, losing 28 percent of its value in 2013. (aarp.org)
- This is a 15% margin that has shown no stable direction of growth but fluctuates seemingly at random. (smartasset.com)
- The price of gold jumped 131 percent from late 2007 to September 2011, when it hit a high of $1,921 an ounce, according to the World Gold Council. (aarp.org)
External Links
investopedia.com
law.cornell.edu
- 7 U.S. Code SS7 – Designation Boards of Trade as Contract Markets
- 26 U.S. Code SS 408 – Individual retirement accounts
bbb.org
wsj.com
- Saddam Hussein's InvasionHelped Uncage a Bear In 1991 – WSJ
- How do you keep your IRA Gold at Home? It's Not Exactly Legal – WSJ
How To
How to Hold Physical Gold in an IRA
The best way of investing in gold is to purchase shares from companies that produce gold. But, this approach comes with risks. These companies may not survive the next few years. Even if they do survive, there is still the possibility of losing money to fluctuating gold prices.
You can also buy gold directly. This requires you to either open up your account at a bank or an online bullion dealer or simply purchase gold from a reputable seller. 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 easier to track how much gold is in your possession. You'll get a receipt showing exactly what you paid, so you'll know if any taxes were missed. You have less risk of theft when investing in stocks.
There are however some disadvantages. For example, you won't benefit from banks' interest rates or investment funds. You can't diversify your holdings, and you are stuck with the items you have bought. Finally, the taxman may ask you about where you have put your gold.
Visit BullionVault.com to find out more about gold buying in an IRA.
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By: Jamie Redman
Title: 4,800 Bitcoins from Abraxas Darknet Marketplace Transferred to Bitcoin 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