(1) All publicity is good publicity. (2) Having the US government treat bitcoin as an auctionable asset undercuts naysayers who say bitcoins are "tulips". (3)

(1) All publicity is good publicity. (2) Having the US government treat bitcoin as an auctionable asset undercuts naysayers who say bitcoins are "tulips". (3) We have a precedent with the original seizure leading to a bitcoin rally. (4) The US government is now acting as a sort of "bitcoin exchange". This auction will give new actors a way to enter the bitcoin market without certain legal uncertainties.