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The Feds seized it from "Individual X" who hacked the account, they didn't hack and seize the account directly

You're assuming there actually is an Individual X. It is possible he was fabricated in order to hide that the Feds indeed did gain the password for the wallet.

Maybe it took 8 years to crack the password?

Exactly. And there’s no reason to announce to the world that such cracking can be done when you can invent Individual X.

If they did, they lied to the court.

"On November 3, 2020, Individual X signed a Consent and Agreement to Forfeiture with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California. In that agreement, Individual X, consented to the forfeiture of the Defendant Property to the United States government."

Nothing there about "Individual X" being Ross Ulbritcht

It wouldn't have been. They claim "Individual X" robbed silk road. My understanding based on the documents from Ross' arrest is that X exploited a bug in the site to get the user list then extorted the operator.

I don’t think that would exactly be the first time for that to happen.

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