US Court Orders Over 119 Bitcoins to Be Surrendered in Landmark Case

Man Convicted in the US for Attempting to Hide Digital Assets After Seizure Warrant

In a significant case involving cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin—a decentralized digital currency that is not controlled by banks or governments—the US court has ruled that Juan Carlos Reynoso must surrender more than 119 bitcoins (BTC) to authorities, currently worth millions of dollars. The decision was issued by Federal Judge Héctor Ramos-Vega of the District Court of Puerto Rico to ensure that the assets (financial holdings or property) are seized as initially ordered in the judicial warrant.

Reynoso became the target of US authorities following an investigation into criminal activities that led to the issuance of a warrant for the seizure of his bitcoins. Upon learning of the warrant through his attorney, Reynoso quickly transferred the bitcoins to other cryptocurrency wallets. The court viewed these rapid transfers as a clear and deliberate attempt to obstruct justice.

Defendant Challenges Warrant, Citing Procedural and Constitutional Violations

In his defense, Reynoso argued that the warrant had been issued under false pretenses. He also claimed violations of procedural rules and his constitutional rights, particularly the Fifth Amendment, which protects individuals from self-incrimination—meaning they are not required to provide information that could be used against them in a criminal case. However, the court rejected these arguments, stating that the warrant had been properly delivered to Reynoso’s attorney, thereby dismissing any claims of irregularities in the process.

The court also emphasized that immediately after Reynoso’s attorney was notified of the warrant, the bitcoins were swiftly transferred to multiple different digital wallets. The speed of these transactions, carried out within hours of the notification, was interpreted as a deliberate effort to prevent authorities from recovering the assets.

Due to Non-Compliance, US Court Imposes Financial Penalty

Because Reynoso failed to comply with the warrant, the US court ordered him to transfer 119.65 BTC to a government-controlled wallet. If he fails to do so, he will be fined $10,000 per day until he complies with the order.

• Check next crypto to hit $1

This case is particularly significant as it sets an important legal precedent (a judicial decision that may influence similar future cases) in applying US laws to cryptocurrencies. The ruling reinforces the understanding that digital assets are subject to the same legal standards as other types of financial assets and traditional property.