Romanian authorities have already seized approximately $4 million in luxury cars, watches, homes, and cash from the Instagram influencer, kickboxer, misogynist, and alleged human trafficker.
According to a spokesperson for the two brothers, who were both arrested on rape and trafficking charges, authorities seized a pair of digital wallets containing approximately 21 BTC, valued at approximately $465,000, according to Decrypt.
This includes approximately 5 BTC from Andrew Tate, which was held in a wallet in his girlfriend’s name and was worth approximately $110,000 at the time.
His brother Tristan had a wallet containing approximately 16 BTC, which was worth approximately $355,000.
Tate, a champion kickboxer, rose to prominence and then became infamous for his blatantly misogynistic remarks while running Hustler’s University, an online crypto trading school. He was also barred from using Instagram and other social media platforms for comments such as saying rape victims must “bear responsibility” for their attacks and implying he’d hit a woman who cheated on him with a machete.
Earlier this month, a Romanian appeals court denied his request for an extension of his detention as prosecutors built a case against him that included the formation of an organised crime group, citing him as a “flight risk.”
How Much Bitcoin?
The seized bitcoins are unlikely to be his entire crypto holdings. Elliptic, a blockchain intelligence firm, reported in January that the Hustler’s University digital wallets had received approximately $2.5 million.
Tate has stated that he earns that much per month from the $49 tuition fees he charges, in addition to millions from his own trading. He has also mentioned using cryptocurrency to avoid sending money through banks, which ask questions about the transfers.
He’s referring to anti-money laundering reporting requirements.
“With Bitcoin, I press two buttons, it costs me 35 cents, and it’s done in three minutes,” he explained in one online video. “This is why Bitcoin will never reach zero.”
