Charlie Shrem Auctions First Issue of Bitcoin Magazine and Personal Relics

One of the early bitcoin supporters and co-founder of the Bitcoin Foundation, Charlie Shrem, has put his personal items related to the early history of cryptocurrency up for auction. The auction will take place on the Scarce City platform and will start on the evening of September 16, 2025.

Shrem is known as one of the pioneers of the crypto community: he began investing in bitcoin in 2011, later founded the BitInstant platform, through which up to 30% of all BTC transactions passed at its peak. However, in 2014, he was sentenced to two years in prison for involvement in unlicensed money transfers in the Silk Road darknet marketplace case. After being released in 2016, he continued working on new crypto projects and participated in the creation of the altcoin Dash.

Twelve items are up for sale, including a prison diary, a boarding pass after his arrest, the first silver “bitcoin ring,” and most importantly, the first issue of Bitcoin Magazine from May 2012. The copy is numbered and personally signed by Shrem, confirming its authenticity.

In his comment, Shrem noted the symbolism of the relics on display:

“These items are not just mine, they are the scars and sparks of the early days of bitcoin and its first fire. (…) Proof that freedom and bitcoin are enduring.”