BTC-e is a huge money maker for whoever is brave enough to run it. As long as the site isn't taken over by authorities, there's a huge incentive to come back. If they do come back they will recover public trust very quickly and more than ever before. If the original owners want to get out they can sell it to someone else. Guaranteed, they know plenty of people ready and willing to run the site and and make millions.

Whatever amount of money is stored on BTC-e right now that they could steal is NOTHING compared to the profit they've made in the past six years, and NOTHING compared to what they will make in next six. To steal it all and run would be like a drug dealer just doing all his drugs instead of selling them. Even if they are willing to screw all their customers because they're just assholes. Slaughtering a cash cow is stupid. How stupid do you think these people are?

$110 million fine is pocket change to a $4 billion company. If BTC-e is going to steal all the money, it's not cause they need a few million dollars for a fine.

Who know's what will happen, but there are a lot of reasons for BTC-e to come back. I wouldn't be surprised if they start again on an onion site and go Tor only.

If they do manage to come back, this drama and attention will make them kings to the anti-government/privacy people. They will be more popular than ever. I think they are smart enough to realize this reality. I think it's entirely possible they won't come back, but I think it's utterly stupid to think they don't want to if they can.

Is there any evidence that the authorities have control of the servers or the funds?