US authorities managed to hold onto just 15% of the value of Shiba Inu (SHIB) tokens they seized, according to data released this week. The figure raises questions about how law enforcement handles volatile crypto assets during forfeiture proceedings. In separate news, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) argued that Bitcoin is a genuine inflation hedge, contrasting it with AI-related tokens, while on-chain data shows whales added 70 million XRP to their wallets over the past seven days.
The SHIB Seizure Math
The numbers are stark: for every dollar of SHIB originally seized, US authorities ended up with just 15 cents. That's an 85% loss in value. The drop likely reflects the token's price volatility during the time between seizure and liquidation — a common headache for agencies that aren't set up to trade crypto actively. The exact timeline of the seizure and sale wasn't disclosed, but the outcome underscores the challenge of preserving value when dealing with meme coins that can swing 30% in a week.
CZ: Bitcoin vs. AI
Changpeng Zhao took to social media this week to make the case for Bitcoin as a true inflation hedge. He contrasted it with AI-related tokens, which he suggested are more tied to speculative tech cycles than to monetary debasement. CZ didn't name any specific AI coins, but his comments come as the market sees a flood of new projects claiming to merge blockchain with artificial intelligence. The Binance founder's view isn't new — he's long been a Bitcoin maximalist — but the timing, with inflation still above central bank targets in several economies, gives it extra weight.
XRP Whales Accumulate
Whales — wallets holding large amounts of XRP — added 70 million tokens to their holdings this week. That's roughly $35 million at current prices. Accumulation by big holders often signals confidence, though it can also precede distribution. The move comes as XRP trades in a relatively tight range, and legal clarity around the token remains a factor after last year's SEC ruling. Whether this whale buying is a bet on a breakout or just routine rebalancing isn't clear, but the volume is notable.
The SHIB seizure loss is likely to fuel debate over how agencies handle seized digital assets. For now, the numbers speak for themselves.
