In his pre-trial, Ross denied ownership[1] of the server that the coins were found on (for obvious reasons - the server also ran the Silk Road). Since no one claimed ownership, the FBI was free to auction them.<p>[1] This actually turned out to be a major blunder on the part of the defense. See <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wired.com&#x2F;2014&#x2F;10&#x2F;silk-road-judge-technicality&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wired.com&#x2F;2014&#x2F;10&#x2F;silk-road-judge-technicality&#x2F;</a>