US Marshals Sell Anthropic Shares Seized from Former FTX Executives
In 2025, the US Marshals Service liquidated shares in the AI startup Anthropic, originally held by former FTX executives Caroline Ellison and Nishad Singh. Ellison and Singh acquired $50 million worth of Series B preferred stock in 2022 before pleading guilty in the FTX bankruptcy case, resulting in forfeiture of their shares. The timing of this government sale has drawn attention amid Anthropic’s rapid valuation surge since then.
Anthropic’s Valuation Skyrockets Over Threefold in Six Months
Anthropic completed a funding round in March 2025, achieving a $6.15 billion valuation. Just six months later, a subsequent financing round valued the company at $183 billion—over triple its prior worth. However, details such as the exact date, sale price, and buyer of the seized shares have not been publicly disclosed, leaving uncertainty over whether the government sold before or after the bulk of the valuation increase.
Estimated $4.7 Billion in Potential Gains Foregone; Proceeds Not Yet Distributed
Based on Anthropic’s valuation growth, the government’s sale may have resulted in approximately $4.7 billion less in potential earnings compared to holding the shares. Moreover, the funds obtained from the sale have not yet been transferred to the compensation pool for FTX bankruptcy victims. The precise handling and allocation of these proceeds remain unclear.
Asset Disposal Challenges Highlighted by FTX Fallout
This episode echoes earlier moves by FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who liquidated stakes in affiliated companies before their values soared, underscoring the financial consequences tied to timing asset sales. How regulators and legal authorities manage assets linked to FTX is pivotal for investor recoveries and victim compensation. Given Anthropic’s significance as an AI innovator, the market continues to scrutinize the company’s equity disposition.
The early sale of Anthropic shares by US authorities, while enabling immediate cash recovery, raises questions about timing and fund allocation. This case illustrates the complexities regulators face in unwinding FTX-related holdings, and stakeholders remain vigilant regarding subsequent management and victim restitution progress.