A police order reported by The Counter Signal is part of government “emergency” measures and places more than 25 Bitcoins — roughly $1.4 million — at risk of seizure from truckers.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has reportedly instructed all FINTRAC-regulated businesses across Canada to cease all business dealings with 34 specified cryptocurrency wallets.
According to a report published by the media platform The Counter Signal, the wallets listed on the blacklist are allegedly linked to the Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa.
“The Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are currently investigating cryptocurrency donations collected in relation to illegal activities falling under the Emergencies Act,” the RCMP order is quoted in the Counter Signal article.
The order references the Emergency Economic Measures Order and states that 29 Bitcoin addresses, two Ethereum addresses, and one address each for Cardano, Monero, and Litecoin are to be subject to a freeze on transactions under the Emergency Measures Act, subsection 19(1).
“Any information about a transaction or a proposed transaction in relation to these addresses is to be immediately disclosed to the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,” the RCMP commanded.
Counter Signal notes that the listed wallets were responsible for transactions ranging from zero up to $1.1 million. If the RCMP order is enforced, approximately 25 Bitcoins valued at about $1.4 million could be at risk of being blocked.
The Freedom Convoy protests had continued for 18 days, with truckers blocking roads in Ottawa amid a firm stance by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Local reports indicate that Ottawa police expenditures to end the protests surpassed $14.1 million.