US Government Sells Anthropic Shares Seized from SBF's Associates
Shares formerly owned by FTX executives were confiscated and sold due to fraudulent activities.
1FTX Scandal and Share Seizure
US authorities confiscated Anthropic shares owned by Caroline Ellison and Nishad Singh, who pleaded guilty in the FTX fraud case. After testifying against founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), both were ordered to forfeit their shares to the federal government. Ellison's shares were seized in February 2025, while Singh's were taken in April 2025.
2Sale to Existing Investors
The US Marshals Service sold the confiscated shares to Anthropic's current investors. The exact sale date, buyers, and price remain undisclosed. Experts estimate the shares could have been worth between $250 million and $1.1 billion in 2025. The sale likely occurred anticipating further valuation growth for Anthropic.
3Original Investment in Anthropic
SBF, Singh, and Ellison invested $550 million total in Anthropic's Series B round in 2022. SBF's affiliated entity contributed $500 million, while Singh invested $40 million and Ellison $10 million. These investments represented approximately 13.56% of Anthropic at the time, based on court documents.
4Post-FTX Bankruptcy Share Fate
After FTX's collapse, SBF's shares transferred to Clifton Bay (linked to Alameda Research) and became part of FTX's bankruptcy estate, selling for $1.3 billion in 2024. Singh and Ellison's shares avoided bankruptcy proceedings, instead being seized by federal authorities through criminal forfeiture before being sold.
5Anthropic's Soaring Valuation
Anthropic's valuation reached $61.5 billion in its Series E round (March 2025), climbing to $380 billion by early 2026. In May 2026, the company announced a $965 billion valuation. Analysts estimate the seized shares could now be worth $2.6-$5 billion based on these valuations.
6Investors' Potential Windfall
Investors who bought the shares from the government in 2025 may have realized substantial unrealized gains as Anthropic's valuation multiplied. Without knowing the exact sale price, profit estimates remain speculative. Some analysts suggest the package was worth $250-$630 million at the time of sale.
7Uncertainty for FTX Creditors
The DOJ stated proceeds could compensate FTX victims, but the opaque remission process has yet to distribute funds. In 2025, $638 million from SBF's Robinhood shares sale was transferred to FTX's bankruptcy estate. Whether Anthropic sale proceeds will follow remains unclear as of June 2026.
8Government May Retain Proceeds
Legal experts note the DOJ could retain part or all sale proceeds to cover investigation costs, as forfeiture distribution remains at the Attorney General's discretion. This possibility creates additional uncertainty for FTX victims awaiting compensation. The final disposition of funds remains undetermined.