Czech police arrest darknet founder in $45M Bitcoin donation case

Czech police arrest darknet founder in $45M Bitcoin donation case

Czech police arrested Tomas Jirikovsky, a darknet marketplace founder, over a $45 million Bitcoin donation linked to former Justice Minister Pavel Blazek’s resignation. Jirikovsky, who allegedly paid 468 BTC to avoid prison, attempted to escape during a raid but was detained. Previously convicted for running Sheep Marketplace, he amassed at least 1,500 BTC and was paroled in 2021. The donation, tied to the Nucleus marketplace, sparked controversy after a $77.5 million transaction was traced. The case highlights Bitcoin’s traceability, emphasizing accountability in large transactions.