According to online reports, Tim Draper, an early investor in Tesla and Skype, said in an interview,"I have been constantly buying more Bitcoin." Tim Draper purchased approximately 29,656 bitcoins through an auction held by the U.S. Marshals Service in July 2014 for approximately US$19 million, with an average purchase price of approximately US$640. The bitcoins were seized by the U.S. government during a Silk Road enforcement operation. Tim Draper has repeatedly expressed his optimism about the future potential of Bitcoin, believing that Bitcoin can provide liquidity and protection against currency devaluation for emerging markets.