He must have paid above market rate at the time of the auction and below the current market rate (ie, between $570 and $650). If he discloses his below current market rate bid, bitcoin price will fall towards his bid level. His new fortune will shrink by millions in fiat terms.

Because, from what I've read from speculators, it would create a perception that the coins *should* be valued at that price point as well as some degree of fear that Draper could sell them off now for a quick profit. Clearly, if it was the case Draper wouldn't want to devalue his own holdings by stating something that he doesn't have to. Personally, I'm not sure whether I agree with the reasoning, but then again humanity isn't exactly that logical, so reasoning doesn't always explain pricing fluctuations.

I wonder if he bought it less or in a higher price. But since its in an auction and has more than 40+ bidders I guess he acquired it with more expensive price.

Government - shady?  Are you kidding?

THIS

The price is kind of irrelevant. Auction prices do not set market prices in any economy.

I highly doubt that one person or organization will be able to buy the 144k coins that will be available after DPR's trial. Then again, bitcoin could be worth a lot less, so  its hard to speculate, but my btc is on it being much higher.

i doubt it'll happen, but 144k coins is only $94 million at $650 per bitcoin. a whale who has big plans could afford that, but it's probably too risky.

The same is true for the government who was selling the coins. Draper could have purchased the coins at any time, but the USMS had a deadline to get the coins off their books. Draper had the known and trusted party advantage as well as he had to provide identifying information and had to "send first"

It's 144,000: https://blockchain.info/address/1i7cZdoE9NcHSdAL5eGjmTJbBVqeQDwgw

I wouldn't count on an auction for these anytime soon, if ever. A motion has been filed for them to be returned to their rightful owner, who knows how long that will take. Even if he is found guilty, they will still have to prove that the coins were actually proceeds from Silk Road. Remember, Ross was a fairly early adopter, it is entirely possible that he could have bought them, or even mined them himself. Silk Road launched in February 2011, and he surely didn't think the project up, and create it in just a couple days. I would think it took him several months from inception to launch, and remember, just six months before SR's debut, one could've bought 144,000 Bitcoin for probably less than $5000.

Not saying that this is what happened, just saying it's a definite possibility that he could've in fact acquired some, or all of those coins legitimately. After all, he did start the first legitimate Bitcoin Market with hedging and escrow. You probably wouldn't do that holding little to no Bitcoin.