Bidder interest spikes in the third US Marshals Bitcoin Auction

The US Marshals Service (USMS) bitcoin auction saw a rise in the participation of bidders. The USMS announced that 14 bidders participated in the latest auction of 50,000 BTC, worth $13.4m, up from 11 bidders in the December's auction and placed 34 bids during the six-hour event.

The hike in the bidder interest coincides with rising activity in the bitcoin markets all over the world. A USMS representative said that the auction is being assessed and bids are being reviewed.

"No further information will be released until the conclusion of the auction process, when financial transactions have been completed and bitcoins have been transferred to the winner(s)", the spokesperson said, adding that the winner could be announced on Monday.