- Ross Ulbricht’s auction raised over $1.8M in Bitcoin from 288 personal and prison-related items.
- His prison ID card sold for 11 BTC, valued at more than $1.1M, making it the top-selling item.
- Around 430 BTC tied to Ulbricht, worth $47M, remain untouched in dormant wallets for over 13 years.
A recent auction of Ross Ulbricht’s personal belongings has generated more than $1.8 million in Bitcoin from collectors. The sale featured a range of items tied to the Silk Road founder’s past, including personal effects and artwork created while serving time in prison. Ulbricht, who received a presidential pardon earlier this year, organized the event through Bitcoin-only marketplace Scarce City.
The auction featured a total of 288 lots. Items ranged from pre-arrest memorabilia to prison-issued possessions. Many participants viewed the sale as a chance to own pieces of crypto history, driving strong interest and competitive bidding across all listings. Ulbricht confirmed that the sale marked a step in moving forward after years of incarceration.
Top Bids Drawn by Prison Memorabilia
Ulbricht’s final prison ID card became the highest-selling item, earning 11 BTC, which is valued at over $1.1 million. The ID card attracted significant attention, with Ulbricht noting that he smiled in the photograph despite being imprisoned at the time. A collaborative painting with another inmate, who goes by the name Omega, also received high bids. It closed at 1.01 BTC, adding over $100,000 to the final tally.
Other items included his sleeping bag, a notebook, a metal lock, and various pieces of clothing worn in prison. The auction process required bidders to deposit 1% of their bid as collateral. Additionally, each new bid reset the auction timer to allow fair opportunities for all participants. Payment was requested in Bitcoin, though PayPal was accepted for smaller balances.
Unseized Bitcoin Holdings Remain Dormant
While the auction raised notable funds, attention has also shifted to Ross Ulbricht’s historical Bitcoin holdings. According to Coinbase director Conor Grogan, approximately 430 BTC linked to Ulbricht still remain in dormant wallets. These funds, currently worth around $47 million, have been untouched for over 13 years.
Blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence verified that 14 wallets tied to Silk Road-related activity are still active but not seized. One of the wallets alone holds over $9 million in Bitcoin. Despite Ulbricht’s long imprisonment, these assets have yet to show any signs of movement, reinforcing their connection to his past digital activity.
Public and Community Response Remains Active
The auction has also received support from parts of the crypto community, with some users contributing additional donations. Ulbricht described the auction as part of his transition to a new phase of life after being released from prison. He stated that moving forward meant letting go of reminders from his past.
Final payments for the auction are due by June 2. The event attracted widespread interest, highlighting the continued public fascination with the Silk Road case and its controversial figurehead.
